A MAN who sparked an armed police response in a residential area of Portland will be sentenced next month after admitting a number of charges.

Police officers, including firearms officers, were called after 8pm on Tuesday, March 16 following reports of a ‘disturbance’ at an address in East Weare Road.

It was reported that Benjamin Symonds, aged 39, made threats to harm himself, others and police officers and was in possession of ‘a number of weapons’, according to police.

Road closures were in place at the junction of Harbour View Road to allow police officers to engage with the man while keeping members of the public safe.

Symonds, of Portland, was arrested before 10.40pm. He was later charged with affray, assault by beating an emergency worker and two counts of common assault of an emergency worker.

Appearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded guilty to all four charges.

Due to the limited powers of Magistrates, Chair of Magistrates, Judge Nicholls, directed that Symonds will be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, April 16.

Following the incident, there was an increased police presence at East Weare Road as investigations continued.