Neighbours had to be evacuated from their houses when Philip Raine damaged a gas pipe during the stand-off at his home in Bunyan Avenue, South Shields, on March 31.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how 37-year-old Raine hurled furniture and brandished blades at police who were trying to persuade him to come out.

The court was told trouble flared in the early evening when Raine launched a brutal attack on his partner Tracey Odgaard, which forced her to flee to her mum's.

Raine followed before returning to their home - threatening to stab a police community officer who had stopped him in the street.

When police arrived at Bunyan Avenue, Raine smashed a ground floor window and appeared with two large knives. He then began hurling cups and saucers through the shattered glass.

Shortly after 11pm five adjoining properties were evacuated because the smell of gas was leaking outside.

Just after 1am officers were ordered to force entry to the house and bring the stand-off to an end.

Prosecutor Tony Glover said: "Officers moved in and saw the defendant at the top of the stairs holding a claw hammer in his right hand and a 6in-8in knife in his left hand.

"The officers asked him to calm down and come out, but he started to throw things downstairs, including a television, video recorder, a clothes horse and a box of toys."

As officers moved towards him, Raine, who told police he had a problem with alcohol and cannabis, lashed out. One officer said his shield was continuously hit with the hammer.

Raine admitted common assault on Ms Odgaard, using violence to secure entry to premises relating to the confrontation at her mother's house, affray and damaging property.

Mr Recorder Ben Nolan said Raine could have faced offences which carry penalties of up to life imprisonment but said he was restricted to a maximum penalty of three years, which had to be reduced because of the guilty pleas.

Raine was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, with an extended licence period of 18 months.

Defence barrister Stephen Duffield said Raine had not intended gas to leak from the property and had damaged the pipe accidentally.

Today, neighbour Kathleen Winter, 65, told how she had been at a local social club with her son Gary, 32, when she returned to find the whole street cordoned off by police.

Mrs Winter said: "He was standing at the window shouting 'if you come any closer I'll blow you up'.

"Police officers had kicked down part of my back fence in case he escaped from the back door, and others were in next door's garden watching for any signs of movement.

"We heard that he'd caused a gas leak, and we were only let back into the house at 3am.

"When I opened the door all I could smell was gas. I was advised to open up the windows and doors for it to disperse. It was terrifying."

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