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Judge sentences Australian who sparked police siege when no one called on his birthday

February 28, 2008, 05:01 PM Post Comments
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A man who held police at bay during a 12-hour siege because no one phoned on his birthday was sentenced Thursday by an Australian court to six months in prison.

Ashley Martin Hurst, 32, pleaded guilty in the District Court of Queensland state in the east coast city of Brisbane to charges including going armed in public to cause fear.

Hurst brandished knives and taunted police to shoot him at a house in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, on June 22, 2006 _ his birthday.

Judge Helen O'Sullivan said Hurst deserved a prison sentence because he had distressed police.

"I'm told the reason you did this is no one rang you on your birthday," Judge O'Sullivan said.

"Those who threaten police officers must expect custody," she added.

She acknowledged Hurst had a history of mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse problems.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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