A CRIMINAL responsible for a ten hour stand off with armed police has admitted the bomb threat was a hoax.

Wayne Kavanagh went screaming and shouting out of court yesterday after admitting making a bomb hoax during the major incident in Sherwood, Way, Southend which began at 2pm on Monday.

Echo:

Scene - armed police were sent to the block

Echo:

Threat - Wayne Kavanagh

Police remained at the scene for the rest of the day and well into the night, before Kavanagh was eventually arrested and remanded in custody in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

At Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday the 28-year-old, of Derek Gardens, appeared in an orange prison garb with tattoos on his neck and hands.

He had previously refused to come out of his cell. He spoke to confirm his name and address and to admit creating the bomb hoax.

Chairman of bench Wendy Black referred the case to the crown court because her sentencing powers were not sufficient.

She told him: “We have reviewed your case but feel it is too serious for this court to sentence you today.

“We will not be granting you bail, due to the risk that if you were to be released from here today there is a high risk you would carry out further offences.”

As he was led away by security staff, Kavanagh became angry and punched the bulletproof glass in the dock.

He then shouted at the security guards and turned to the bench threatening death over sentencing.

He said: “I will be dead before I come back here, you hear me?”.

Mrs Black responded that he should “calm down” and follow the security staff.

On Monday, eyewitnesses reported how the area around the flats in Sherwood Way was sent into lockdown as police cordoned off surrounding streets while ushering people away.

There was a heavy presence from the emergency services, including the fire service, and the ambulance service alongside specialist units.

Residents were being advised to seek alternative accommodation for the evening.

This is the second time Kavanagh has been involved in a stand off with police, having been arrested in the same road on November 10, 2012 after negotiations with firearm officers.

In December 2013, he was placed at the Felmores bail hostel after serving two years for a string of burglaries across Southend.

He will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on October 30.