A KNIFE-WIELDING and drug-fuelled Launceston man who barricaded himself inside a Rocherlea family’s home for almost 12 hours on Tuesday is expected to face a string of charges.
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In the early hours of Tuesday, the 41-year-old man entered a woman’s home in Waratah Road while her son and two others were present.
The group was able to escape the ordeal before sunrise, but the man refused to give himself up until 1.48pm.
A variety of tactics, including the use of capsicum spray and food, failed to get the man out of the house, but a calm and calculated effort by Tasmania Police eventually saw him handcuff himself and surrender.
Police have not released information about why the man terrorised the family home, but he is expected to face charges for assault, public property damage and threatening police.
Their investigation is ongoing, but there is concern for the man’s mental wellbeing after he spent Tuesday night in Launceston General Hospital.
Tasmania Police Northern Commander Brett Smith rejected claims the siege took longer to resolve than necessary.
‘‘In this case, it was done in quite a timely fashion. This is a good result, there is no doubt about it,’’ he said.
‘‘It does take time. Sometimes that time is not within people’s expectations, but as I’ve continuously said, this was about the man’s safety and we’ll take as long as it takes to get a peaceful resolution.’’
The 12-hour incident disrupted school bus routes and saw Waratah Road cordoned off about midday.
Thirty-eight-year Rocherlea resident Wayne Freeman watched the events unfold from his home next door.
He said the situation came as no surprise.
‘‘I heard it all start before I went to bed last night,’’ he said.
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said he was used to drug-fuelled violence in the neighbourhood.
‘‘This is normal for us,’’ he said.
Police said the man would be charged once a medical evaluation had been completed.
