A MAN from Sankey Bridges has been charged after armed police swooped on a house where a woman and a child were reportedly being held hostage.

Police launched a major operation in Golborne shortly before 2pm on Saturday, February 9, after receiving reports that a woman and a child were being held hostage in a property on Prescott Street.

A woman and child left the property safely following emergency services interventions.

Austen Dubbledam, of Old Liverpool Road in Sankey Bridges, was arrested following the incident and has since been charged with one count of affray and two charges of criminal damage.

However, he will not face charges for making threats to kill or possession of cannabis.

Dubbledam, 38, appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Monday, February 11, and is now due to appear before Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court next month.

He has been released on conditional bail until that date.

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Greater Manchester Police’s superintendent Paul Walker said: “Our top priority was bringing this situation to a safe resolution for all involved which thankfully we have achieved today.

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“I understand that incidents of this nature cause concern but can assure you that we are treating this as an isolated incident and don’t believe there to be any wider threat - I would like to thank members of the public for their cooperation this afternoon.”