A MAN from Sankey Bridges has been spared jail after armed police swooped on a house where a woman and a child were reportedly being held hostage.

Police launched a major operation following the incident in Golborne last month, after receiving reports that a woman and child were being held hostage in a house.

On Friday, March 1, Austen Dubbledam, of Old Liverpool Road, admitted threatening behaviour and two counts of criminal damage in connection with the incident.

Armed officers were called to a property on Prescott Street shortly before 2pm on Saturday, February 9.

A woman and child were able to leave the address safely following emergency services interventions.

Dubbledam then caused £500 worth of damage to a car and another £550 of damage to a CCTV camera in his cell after being arrested.

The 38-year-old was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, at Wigan Magistrates Court for his string of crimes.

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Magistrates ordered him to carry out 120 hours of community service and to pay compensation in £1,050.

Dubbledam will also be required to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and court costs of £85.

Greater Manchester Police's superintendent Paul Walker said following the incident: "Our top priority was bringing this situation to a safe resolution for all involved which thankfully we have achieved today.

"I understand that incidents of this nature cause concern but can assure you that we are treating this as an isolated incident and don’t believe there to be any wider threat - I would like to thank members of the public for their cooperation this afternoon."