A teenager sparked a tense five-hour stand-off on Herne Bay seafront after barricading himself inside his dad’s flat, a court heard.

Police were forced to shut off a section of the seafront as officers attempted to reason with Calvin Saward, who was seen brandishing a knife.

Prosecutor Julie Farbrace told Canterbury Magistrates’ Court how the 19-year-old was seen hanging out of windows during the stand-off.

She said: “The offence dates back to Saturday, January 2, when officers sought to arrest Mr Saward.

"Avoiding one of the police officers in her attempts to arrest him, he ran off from the officer and is described as barricading himself within his father’s address.

“He is described as hanging out of windows and brandishing a knife.

“Central parts of Herne Bay were cordoned off and eventually, around 6.30pm, Mr Saward came out of the premises and was arrested.”

Dolphin Street was closed during the incident, as well as a section of the seafront between Richmond Street and Station Road, with officers diverting traffic away from the area.

Saward, of High Street, Herne Bay, was later charged with obstructing a police officer and admitted the offence on Friday, having changed his plea.

Defending, Debbie Pizzey said: “At the time of the incident, Mr Saward was in a relationship with a young lady.

“There was an argument and the police were called.

“He travels to his father’s address, locks himself in the house and his father attempts to deal with it. But Mr Saward locks his father out and barricades the door.

“He self-harms. One of the scars showed he required five stitches. He explained that when he feels angry or upset, self-harm is a way of taking away that pain.

“He is clearly a young man with a lot of issues – he has been diagnosed with ADHD and is on the low level of the autistic spectrum.”

A 17-year-old girl also arrested at the time on suspicion of obstructing a police officer was later released without charge.

Saward pleaded guilty to obstructing a constable in the execution of her duty.

He will appear at Margate Magistrates’ Court later today for sentencing.