A MAN who held two members of staff at a bowling alley hostage at gunpoint has been jailed for 12 years.
At an earlier hearing David Clark, 54, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and possession of an imitation firearm at Warwick Crown Court.
On October 22 last year, he drove to the bowling alley at Bermuda Park, Nuneaton, armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a large cookery knife concealed on his body, believing his ex-partner was there.
Clarke began drinking in the bar area before brandishing the weapons and ordering members of the public to leave the premises.
He then falsely imprisoned and threatened two members of staff with the shotgun and caused damage.
Armed police attended the scene and a hostage situation was declared.
Rolling national TV coverage followed the incident which shocked the Coventry region and nation.
Clarke ordered one of the hostages to go to his car in order to collect a samurai sword which was in the vehicle.
He proceeded to threaten to injure the other hostage if he did not comply.
Police negotiators were in contact with Clarke throughout. On hearing potential gunfire, officers entered the bowling alley, rescued both hostages and arrested Clarke.
Police discovered the shotgun had been decommissioned.
Stephen Davies, District Crown Prosecutor with West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service said: “At the time of the offence there were a number of young children and families present within the bowling alley and surrounding areas. David Clarke’s actions were not only irresponsible, but they put the lives of both members of the public and emergency services in danger.
“The consequences of the four hour stand-off between the police and the Clarke were not only traumatic to the victims but also to those around Bermuda Park.”
