A MAN who ran at police with a hammer after becoming infuriated about text messages from his former girlfriend has been given a suspended jail sentence.

After a lengthy stand-off, Craig Wareham, 23, was finally subdued when officers fired plastic bullets at him in Hackforth, near Bedale, North Yorkshire.

Katy Varlow, prosecuting, told Northallerton Magistrates’ Court that Wareham had driven to his former girlfriend’s parents’ home with the hammer and a crowbar on Sunday, December 11, to remonstrate with her after a text message exchange.

After police were called to the house, officers were confronted by Wareham, who then ran at them with the hammer, causing them to reverse their vehicle into another car.

To bring the increasingly violent situation under control, officers cordoned off the property and nearby roads were closed while armed response officers were brought in.

Miss Varlow said Wareham then leapt on the roof of his own car, and continued to make threats until two officers fired baton rounds at his stomach to subdue him.

No one else was injured.

The court heard that Wareham, of Leeming Lane, Catterick, North Yorkshire, who admitted affray, had suffered panic attacks and had drug and alcohol problems.

Rob Hutchinson, in mitigation, said the text exchange had been the straw that broke the camel’s back for Wareham.

Mr Hutchinson said: “His behaviour was reprehensible and he recognises that.

He was in a highly charged emotional state.”

Magistrates said the offence was so serious he was being given a three-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, a 12-month supervision order, and told to carry out 200 hours of community service and pay £85 costs.

A police spokeswoman said: “Our priority was to ensure the safety of members of the public, and the officers’ professionalism and bravery ensured this was achieved and the person responsible was brought to justice.

“Our officers are trained to the highest standards to protect members of the public and property, but the nature of police work means that they are regularly involved in volatile situations and, unfortunately, equipment and vehicles do get damaged.”

Police referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which decided not to carry out an inquiry.