Man weeps as he denies threatening to kill mum during 'armed siege'

A MAN broke down in tears as he denied threatening to kill his mother during an armed siege in New Milton.

Alexander Psaila (32), who had previously given his home address as Whitefield Road in the town, appeared at Southampton Crown Court via videolink to plead not guilty to four charges.

Two allegations concerned making threats to kill his mother Susan and Richard Curtis on 3rd July.

He also denied two other charges of threatening to set fire to his mother's bungalow and damaging kitchen cupboards that belonged to her on 2nd July.

Defence barrister Rebecca Fairbairn said her client suffered with agoraphobia and had not been out of the house for 12 years.

She said she would be making a bail application on Tuesday at the same court. Psaila was remanded in custody until then.

A provisional three-day trial at the crown court starting on 11th November was set by Judge Christopher Parker.

As reported in the A&T, armed police were called to an address in Brecon Close, New Milton, on 3rd July. The incident began just before 11am before being brought to a conclusion by around 4pm.