Man who took hostages with samurai sword at bowling alley to be sentenced

A man who admitted taking two hostages with a sawn-off shotgun and a samurai sword in a four-hour siege at a bowling alley will be sentenced on Friday.

David Clarke, 53, was eventually arrested at 2.30pm on October 22 after entering MFA Bowl on St Davids Way, Bermuda Park, Nuneaton, demanding to speak to his ex-girlfriend.

Members of the public were threatened by Clarke with knives to their throats and a shotgun to the back of the head.

Children as young as five were present in the building at the time of the attack and some people were told to obey orders or "you are not going to see tomorrow".

Clarke, of Ryde Avenue, Nuneaton, pleaded guilty to two counts of false imprisonment, possessing a prohibited firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possessing a samurai sword and a knife.

He also admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause an indictable offence and one count of criminal damage.

Clarke will be sentenced at Warwick Crown Court by Judge Andrew Lockhart QC on Friday.