Officer threatened with nail gun

Armed police were called to an Otago property yesterday after a man threatened an officer with a nail gun.

Police were initially called to a home in Milburn, Otgao, about 3pm after a 57-year-old threatened to commit suicide, the Otago Daily Times reported.

A police officer who tried to calm him was then pushed to the ground and threatened with a nail gun, Sergeant Martin Bull of Balclutha police said.

Police backed away and cordoned off the area, while a neighbour sat with the man to keep him calm until the armed offenders squad arrived.

The man remained uncooperative after armed police arrived and had to be pepper-sprayed, Mr Bull said.

He was awaiting psychiatric assessment last night and would likely be charged with assaulting a police officer and threatening to cause grievous bodily harm.

- NZPA