David Clarke took two bowling alley workers hostage using a samurai sword, sawn-off shotgun and a knife
A 53-year-old man has pleaded guilty to holding two people hostage using a samurai sword, sawn-off shotgun and a knife.
David Clarke faces jail after the four-hour siege at a bowling alley in Bermuda Park in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.
He took MFA Bowl staff members Joshua Steedman and William Barlow hostage using a decommissioned gun after failing to find somebody he’d had a dispute with.
Families were evacuated to a cinema, hotel and restaurant as the whole area was cordoned off during the incident on 2.30pm on October 22 last year.
Armed police stormed the building at 6.33pm to arrest Clarke and release the hostages unharmed.
Clarke was charged with two counts of kidnapping, possessing a prohibited firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and having it with intent to commit offences of false imprisonment.
Today he appeared at Warwick Crown Court where he admitted the offences and his sentencing was adjourned for psychiatrist reports to be prepared.
Families had to be evacuated from this bowling alley as Clarke sparked a four-hour siege when he took hostages
Judge Andrew Lockhart QC warned Clarke to expect ‘a significant and lengthy prison sentence’.
He added: ‘You have pleaded guilty to the indictment on an acceptable basis.
‘Your counsel has persuaded me I should consider a pre-sentence report before coming to the view if you are a dangerous offender.’
Armed police are pictured at the scene, where Clarke took two people hostage after failing to find somebody he’d had a dispute with
Chief Superintendent Alex Franklin-Smith, of Warwickshire Police, said after the case: ‘Clarke will have realised the impact his selfish actions would have on the victims and the many people and families who were out enjoying the start of the school half-term holiday.
‘Fortunately, incidents of this nature are extremely rare, but our officers train for such events and when they were called upon to put their training into practice they most certainly did with the utmost bravery, skill and professionalism.
‘On behalf of Warwickshire Police I would like to thank all of the emergency services who were involved in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion.
‘I’d also like to recognise the investigation team who worked around the clock to ensure Clarke was promptly charged and remanded in custody.
‘The thoroughness of their investigation and the strength of evidence they presented has led to today’s guilty plea.
‘Finally, I would like to thank the many people who were caught up in this event for their calmness, cooperation and support on the day.
‘The situation was fast moving, dynamic and attracted significant local, national and international interest.
‘The incident brought out the best in the people of Nuneaton.
‘Local businesses providing refuge for people caught up in the events and local taxi and bus companies providing people with free lifts home were just some of the examples of how the local community pulled together.
‘The many messages of thanks and support we have received from the public have been overwhelming and today’s sentencing is testament to the work of everyone involved in bringing Clarke to justice.”
Clarke, of Nuneaton, will be sentenced on March 2.
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