A man who held a woman against her will through a 12-hour armed police siege today faces a life sentence.

Shaun Francis Hudson, 44, pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning a woman and possessing an imitation hand grenade with intent to resist arrest. He also admitted affray.

York Crown Court heard that because he has a previous conviction for causing grievous bodily harm with intent the law says he should receive a life sentence for the firearms offence.

The Evening Press reported last October how dozens of armed officers sealed off the area around Hudson's flat in Bedale House, The Groves, York.

Sixteen residents were evacuated to spend the night at the nearby Magpie pub in Penleys Grove Street, leaving police to wait and watch.

It was not until after 9am the next morning that the siege drew to a close, with Hudson throwing out his "grenade" in exchange for a pint of milk from police officers outside.

Shortly afterwards the woman Hudson had been holding was allowed to leave his flat, descending a ladder to safety.

At York Crown Court today, Dan Edwards, for Hudson, said he expected to present legal arguments as to why his client should not receive a life sentence when he is sentenced next month.

Hudson pleaded guilty to the three offences committed during the siege on October 8. He denied charges of making threats to kill a second woman, causing actual bodily harm to the second woman, making threats to kill to a police sergeant and criminal damage.

Paul Williams, prosecuting, offered no evidence on the not guilty pleas.

Hudson had previously pleaded guilty to affray and criminal damage at Fulford Road police station on October 3. He was due to stand trial for an alleged affray on Boxing Day, 1999, but that matter will now lie on the file.

Judge Paul Hoffman adjourned sentence until March 16 so the defence could get a psychiatrist's report.

Under the "two strikes and you're out" law, a person convicted twice of certain offences must receive a life sentence for the second offence.

Updated: 17:27 Monday, February 12, 2001