No sign of firearm found after West Coast man sparks five-hour stand-off with armed police

Police this morning found no evidence of a firearm during a subsequent search of a property where a Buller man yesterday sparked a five-hour stand-off with armed police. Photo / File

By Brendon McMahon

A northern Buller man sparked a five-hour stand-off with armed police after he allegedly threatened to shoot the local policeman when he responded to a domestic incident in Hector.

The West Coast Armed Offenders Squad and a police negotiation team staked out the property early last evening after the threat from the 59-year-old.

Senior sergeant Paul Watson, of Greymouth, said police received a call about 4.30pm from a Hector address about a family harm incident, prompting a visit from the nearby Granity constable.

"On arrival, the officer was threatened by a male occupant," Watson said.

The local policeman then called for back-up from the AOS, who stood by until the man agreed to surrender shortly before 10pm. He was arrested and held in custody overnight before appearing in the Greymouth District Court this morning.

A woman allegedly assaulted during an incident at the house earlier had been able to leave the property earlier without further harm.

Watson said this morning police found no evidence of a firearm during a subsequent search of the property.

Colin Earl Read, 59, did not seek bail and did not enter pleas in his court appearance today. He faced one charge each of threatening to kill a police officer and assaulting a woman.

Duty lawyer Richard Bodle said Read was not seeking bail, saying that time in custody would give him time to "cool off".

Read was remanded in custody, by consent, to reappear in court next Tuesday.

- Greymouth Star