by Julia Roberts

A Minster man who armed himself with a machete and sparked a two-hour police siege appeared in court today.
Dwain Beckett held two people hostage in Noreen Avenue, Minster, on April 22. The street was cordoned off and more than 20 police officers attended, some in riot gear.
Beckett, who also lives in Noreen Avenue, eventually gave himself up. No one was injured during the stand-off.
Today, at Maidstone Crown Court, the burly, tattooed 27-year-old appeared via a TV link with Elmley Prison.
He pleaded guilty to having a bladed article in a public place, two offences of false imprisonment, affray, arson and destroying property.
Requesting that sentence be adjourned for both probation and psychiatric reports, defence counsel John Fitzgerald said: “A brief perusal of the papers reveals behaviour which, on any view, is extraordinary.”
Beckett was remanded in custody until June 30. Judge Jeremy Carey described the offences as very serious. “One of the issues the court will have to consider is dangerousness,” he added.