A man accused of hitting a police car with a pick axe after officers were called to his family home has been jailed for 12 months.

Caernarfon crown court heard armed police and negotiators were called in and it took several hours before Samuel Jones, aged 26, of Elwy Meadows, St Asaph, came down from a roof.

He pleaded guilty to affray, possessing an offensive weapon and damaging property.

Judge Niclas Parry said: "This was a prolonged incident of serious disorder involving the use of a weapon and the causing of real fear to public servants. It was a prolonged incident which culminated with a significant amount of police resources including firearms officers and negotiators having to bring the incident to an end.

“The matter is aggravated by a very poor record which includes violence.”

Andrew McInnes, prosecuting, said police had been called to a late-night domestic rumpus with Jones described as going “nuts” in the house. Officers were let into a gated courtyard but Jones held the axe and struck the bonnet of the patrol car.

Mr McInnes said another blow struck a window frame and the police driver reversed over a rockery before the two PCs escaped on to a main road.

Jones later told police he had arrived home drunk and aggressive and argued with his mother.

Paulinus Barnes, defending, said Jones “struggles with alcohol.”

The defendant was intelligent and remorseful.