Siege man's 'suicide' aim

Richard Horrex was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court

A suicidal gunman started a siege at a house in Suffolk with the aim of being shot dead by a police marksman, a court has been told.

Richard Horrex, 55, of Exning Road, Newmarket, was sentenced to three years in prison at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday in connection with a siege in the town.

He had pleaded guilty to charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing.

The court was told police were called to Horrex's home in Exning Road on 19 October, 2003 after reports of a man firing an air rifle from a house into the street.

A taxi driver was shot and members of the emergency services came under fire.

An eight-hour siege ensued before Horrex was arrested.

On Tuesday his defence barrister Greg Perrins said Horrex had been suicidal and had created the situation with the aim of being shot dead by a police marksman.

Judge Peter Thompson told Horrex he had given no thought for the safety of others or the feelings of an officer if he had been shot - and sentenced him to three years on each offence, to run concurrently.