A dramatic scene unfolded when Kenneth Bates brandished a gun at his neighbours and the police in a tense four-hour standoff. It all began when Bates, after calling the police to say he’d filled his home with flammable liquids and intended to set it ablaze, had officers racing to the scene. Once there, Bates was found holding what appeared to be a gun, causing panic among locals who watched from a safe distance as the street transformed into a high-stakes standoff.
Things took an eerie turn when police discovered Bates possessed a collection of weapons, including a samurai sword and a knife. Bates, 58, reportedly told officers he’d been preparing for a ‘zombie war’. Following a period spent in a mental health facility, Bates made headlines once again by threatening a psychiatrist, which led to another showdown at a railway station.
In court, his bizarre behaviour was attributed to a severe mental health condition. Despite his past convictions, Bates was described as being ‘plainly unwell’ and in need of critical care. The judge ruled in favour of a hospital order, granting Bates necessary treatment while keeping him and the community safe. This ruling comes as a sobering reminder of the importance of mental health support and intervention.