A man arrested following a siege at an address in Ipswich on New Year’s Day has been warned he could be jailed when he is sentenced next month.

Martin Saltiel was detained on January 1 after armed officers, a dog unit and the police helicopter descended on an address in Skylark Lane, Ipswich.

Residents reported a man was in the back garden of a property, armed with an axe and causing damage to the building.

Yesterday Saltiel, 48, of Skylark Lane, attended a plea hearing at Ipswich Crown Court via a prison video link and admitted affray – a public order offence of using or threatening unlawful violence towards another and causing that person to fear for their personal safety.

Paul Donegan, for Saltiel, asked for the case to be adjourned for three weeks for medical reports to be obtained on his client, who has no previous convictions.

Judge Rupert Overbury described the incident as “horrific” and warned Saltiel that immediate prison sentences were usually imposed for such violent offences.

Officers were first called to the incident at 11.05am.

Neighbours described witnessing the arrival of squad cars, armed units and a dog van, supported from the air by the police helicopter.

At about 12.45pm, the drama concluded with a man being arrested and led away from the scene in a police car.

On the day of the incident Barry Wright, a resident of Skylark Lane, described seeing two police cars arrive at about 11.15am, followed by two armed response units.

“They went to a flat and guided out the lady who lives there,” he added.

“She has trouble with her legs and they helped her into a police car. Then they got her neighbours out as well.

“They were here for a good hour-and-a-quarter after that.”

Police said their actions were concentrated on a specific property and that no shots were fired by armed officers.