Man who had 10-hour armed sieged with Scots cops while looking after toddler spared jail

A man who had a 10-hour armed siege with police while he was looking after a toddler was spared jail over the incident today.

Ryan Martin created such a scene that firearms cops and police negotiators were among 27 officers sent to the stand-off in Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

The 38-year-old barricaded himself inside a house while officers tried to get him to leave the property and check the three-year-old was safe.

But he refused to hand over the girl to officers or prove to them that the youngster - who can't be named for legal reasons - was still alive. 

And he claimed they could not force entry to the property because she was right behind him and could be hurt.

Martin was high on a cocktail of alcohol and prescription medication at the time as he was suffering from a broken arm.

He threatened to kill officers and threatened to stab them while armed with a kitchen knife.

He also threatened to shoot them and said he would throw petrol bombs at them.

The young girl he was looking after was in the house with him during the entire episode.

And Martin made the tot her breakfast during the siege, while officers were camped outside, before giving himself up hours later.

He pleaded guilty over the November 10, 2025 incident, which took place at a property in Cathkin Place, in Kilwinning's Whitehirst Park area, at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last month.

He pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive way, endangering police officers, and damaging property and returned to the dock today, Monday, December 29, 2025, to be sentenced. 

Defence lawyer Laura Muir said: "I think alcohol might be the root of the problem. 

"When he consumes alcohol his behaviour becomes problematic. 

"He is assessed as suitable for a community based disposal.

"I think Mr Martin will get more out of that than a custodial sentence."

And she said that could allow him to learn "strategies and skills to be able to act in an appropriate manner".

Sheriff Murdo Mactaggart said: "Your conduct on this occasion was very serious.

"You endangered the three-year-old - you didn't protect her by your conduct.

"I'm prepared to offer you an alternative to custody."

He placed Martin on a 12-month-long Community Payback Order which will see him supervised by social workers.

He will also undergo alcohol treatment and has to remain within his home in Ardrossan, Ayrshire, between 7pm and 7am for the next six months.

The period of house arrest was reduced from eight months as he admitted his guilt. 

Procurator Fiscal Depute Emma Sangray told the court previously that Martin had been drinking in the property and refused to leave when asked.

The police were contacted and officers saw a smashed front window when they arrived.

But Martin refused to engage with the officers properly for 10 hours, leading to firearms cops and police negotiators being scrambled to the scene.