A NEWTOWN was tazered after threatening police with a knife, causing a three-hour stand-off that saw firearms officers and a negotiator called to the scene.

Jason Earl Harris, of Ffordd Eglwys, Vaynor, Newtown, admitted assaulting detective officer Graham Bond, when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court.

Anouska Youds, prosecuting, said the incident happened on September 24 last year, when officers went to the communal flats in Vaynor.

When the defendant answered, officers thought he was possibly under the influence of intoxicants, he began to become agitated, thrashing his arms about leading the officers to retreat into the hall and call for more officers.

Harris, 32, began waving a large kitchen knife and shouting, leading the officers to close the fire door and retreat to a safe distance while they waited for back-up.

As an armed response unit and a police negotiator arrived Harris was throwing items out of his window.

It was three hours before Harris opened the door to the officers and when he did he was holding a pair of scissor to his throat.

A tazer was discharged twice to incapacitate Harris who was found holding a black handle kitchen knife.

He was detained under the Mental Health Act afterwards and attended court with a carer.

Magistrates read a report which had been produced by the probation service and Robert Hanratty, defending, said mental health was at the heart of what had happened and that it was important that it was addressed.

Mr Hanratty said: "He is in need of support and care from the mental health services on a day-to-day basis.

"Hopefully a lot of good will come out of this for Jason.

"He is at low risk of re-offending."

Chair of the magistrates bench Nerys Jones gave Harris an 18 month community order with support built in to address his mental health issues.

He will also pay £100 in compensation to DC Bond, as well as £85 court costs.