Wade Saunders: Man fronts court after 10-hour siege at Gailes

A 46-year-old man has fronted court after a 10 hour-long stand-off with authorities at Ipswich.

A man has appeared in court for allegedly threatening violence following a 10-hour siege incident at Ipswich that began on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to a residence at Arnhem St, Gailes about 4pm on December 17, where 46-year-old Wade Saunders allegedly barricaded himself inside a home before surrendering to police “without incident” at 2.30am Tuesday.

The surrender reportedly followed extensive police negotiations by specialist officers.

Police stated Saunders was transported to hospital for assessment after the incident.

The 46-year-old appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, charged with threatening violence, wilful damage, and two counts of serious assault of police.

No bail application was made, and the matter was adjourned to January 18.

Police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act due to the incident at Gailes on Monday evening.

An exclusion zone was established while police attempted to make contact with Saunders.

Members of the public were advised to avoid the area and those within the exclusion zone were asked to remain indoors and limit their movement.

Ipswich police have since thanked the community for its co-operation during the 10-hour operation.