AN IT expert suffering schizophrenia armed himself with a samurai sword in a bid to deter bailiffs trying to evict him from his home.

Gareth Bryn Bowen posted warnings that he would deal with any trespassers like “Nazi Germany” before the planned eviction on March 30, last year.

Due to his threats, bailiffs hired by HSBC bank to repossess the property, in Sherburn Village, near Durham City, were accompanied by police.

But after entering with the help of a locksmith through a conservatory at the back of the detached property in Railway Close, they saw Bowen, through an internal glass door – dressed in full samurai warrior regalia holding the ornamental sword.

Durham Crown Court was told that armed officers and trained negotiators were summoned due to his history of mental ill-health.

Christopher Rose, prosecuting, said that after an eighthour stand-off, the armed officers were sent in.

They entered, again through the back of the house and were confronted by Bowen swinging the sword in their direction.

Although tasers were deployed to stun him, it appeared to have no effect and he lunged at the officers.

One received a blow to the leg, but the sword deflected off coins in his pocket, while another was caught on the hip and a third received a hand injury, before Bowen was subdued.

Mr Rose said none of the trio of injured officers was badly hurt.

An array of three knives and the sword were recovered from different rooms in the house, while an imitation firearm was found at the top of the stairs.

Mr Rose said it was discovered Bowen had set up a website on which he made comments about the HSBC, and in the days leading up to the eviction he uttered threats via twitter.

Among them he tweeted: “You are on notice that anyone coming through my door trying to change locks will be dealt with like Nazii Germany and other invading foe.”

On another he said: “May God have mercy on your souls. If you invade my land and try to take my home by force, so you will be repelled with force.”

Mr Rose said Bowen was taken to a secure mental health unit and was not interviewed until October, when he told officers he responded as he did because he believed the police were going to kill him.

He said he placed various weapons in different rooms with easy access “to defend himself”.

Bowen, 35 last week, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and affray at a previous hearing.

The case was adjourned for psychiatric reports, and Bowen, who remains a patient at the Roseberry Park Hospital, in Middlesbrough, was brought back for sentence yesterday.

Andrew Petterson, mitigating, told the court that two assessments by different psychiatrists both came to the conclusion that Bowen was suffering schizophrenia and requires mental health treatment.

Mr Petterson said: “He’s of previous good character and prior to this illness he led a constructive life.”

Following the siege it emerged Bowen, described by a neighbour as a private person, had lost his job three years prior to the eviction and had fallen on hard times.

Agreeing to the mental health treatment order, yesterday, Judge Peter Kelson told Bowen: “It’s all designed to help protect society and very much to help protect you.”

It will be up to doctors at the unit to decide when Bowen is considered well enough to be allowed to be released.

The judge also made an order for the confiscation and destruction of the weapons seized after the stand-off.