NSW: Psychiatric assessment for man who held kids hostage

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2001
NSW: Psychiatric assessment for man who held kids hostage

SYDNEY, Dec 21 AAP - A man charged with holding 15 students and a teacher hostage at
a Sydney school was today ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment.

David Pearson, 25, faced Liverpool Local Court charged with unlawful imprisonment and
carrying a cutting implement.

He was remanded in custody and ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment.

Pearson was interviewed for several hours after giving himself up at the Miller Public
School yesterday where he allegedly held a group of year 5 students and their teacher
hostage for more than an hour.

It's alleged he walked into the school with a petrol container and threatened to ignite
it after barricading himself in the classroom.

The children and teacher were not harmed.

Pearson will face court again on February 20.

AAP ld/sal/hu/br

KEYWORD: HOSTAGE

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