Man who held hostages at bowling alley jailed

David Clarke from Nuneaton was sentenced to 12 years.

The judge in the case of a man who brought terror to a bowling alley in Nuneaton last year has praised the officers involved in the incident.

Judge Andrew Lockhart said: "The citizens of Warwickshire should feel greatly comforted to know how their police service acted on that day."

He went on to read out the names of officers involved on the day and recommend they all be considered for commendation.

Judge Lockhart was speaking after he sentenced David Clarke, 53, of Ryde Avenue, Nuneaton, to prison after he previously admitted taking two hostages at gunpoint.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday 22 October 2017. Clarke entered the bowling alley at Bermuda Park concealing a sawn-off shotgun and knives.

He wanted to settle a personal dispute but the person he was looking for wasn't there, so instead he took two other people hostage.

This led to a four-hour armed standoff with police.

Police eventually stormed the building following concern shots had been fired. Clarke was arrested.

It was later established that the shotgun had been deactivated.

Appearing at Warwickshire Crown Court on 12 January, Clarke pleaded guilty to two counts of false imprisonment, one count of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, one count of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, two counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place and one count of criminal damage.

Appearing at the same court today (Friday 2 March), Clarke received an extended sentence of 17 years; 12 years minimum term in prison before consideration for parole on licence.

Commenting on the sentence, Chief Superintendent Alex Franklin-Smith from Warwickshire Police, said:

 "This incident made headlines around the world and left a lasting impact on the local community.

 "This was a planned hostage taking at a place where Clarke knew there would be children   present. He must have realised the impact his actions would have on his victims and everyone   else there.

 "Clarke is a dangerous individual and we welcome the length of his sentence. I hope it brings   some comfort to the victims and the other people caught up in the incident as they continue to   come to terms with what they went through.

 "Judge Lockhart commended the bravery of the officers involved in the incident. I would like to   add my praise for officers and all the emergency services involved. Incidents of this severity are   fortunately extremely rare; but when their training and skills were called upon they acted with   bravery and ensured a safe ending for everyone involved.

"I'd also like to recognise the investigation team. They conducted a thorough investigation and the weight of the evidence they presented helped ensure Clarke entered a guilty plea.

"Finally, I would again like to thank the people of Nuneaton. The incident brought out the best in local people and I can't praise enough the support they gave to police and to each other during the incident and in the aftermath."