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A MAN who sparked a day-long stand-off with police will not face criminal charges after he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Durham Police said the 47-year-old will not be charged after he was arrested following the armed siege in Lintz Terrace, Burnopfield, County Durham.

It finally ended on Thursday lunchtime after almost 24 hours during which families in nearby streets were warned to stay indoors.

The man had barricaded himself into his loft when approximately 20 police officers, clad in riot gear, smashed down his back door with a battering ram and made their way into the house at approximately 11.30am.

Negotiators spent a further hour speaking to the man and extra officers, carrying a folding stepladder and a crowbar-style device soon entered, while fire crews and paramedics waited outside.

After an hour inside the property, the man came down from the loft and was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and criminal damage after he allegedly threw petrol bomms towards police during the stand-off.

Yesterday, Durham Police confirmed he had been detained.

A spokesperson said: “He has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and will not be facing criminal charges.

“He is now being looked after in a mental institution.”

Police had been called to the scene at 1pm on Wednesday, with armed officers turning up by 3pm. They were joined by dog units, fire crews and support from the ambulance service.