Daniel Neville Farnham, 32, fronted Tamworth Local Court on two charges over the incident earlier this year including intimidation and use of an offensive weapon to prevent a police investigation.

On March 28 police were called to Flynn St, Tamworth about 9pm following reports of a neighbourhood dispute.

When they arrived, Farnham had barricaded himself inside his home and was armed with a large kitchen knife. He also used an aerosol can and cigarette lighter to spark a fireball.

Police continued to negotiate with Farnham until he surrendered and walked out of the house about 11pm.

He was arrested, charged and remained in custody until he took his application for bail to the NSW Supreme Court last month.

He was then released on strict conditional bail.

Farnham originally pleaded not guilty to the charges but changed his pleas to guilty during court proceedings in May.

His solicitor told the court during the sentencing Farnham was living in Coffs Harbour and was “away from this area where his offending occurred”.

She also said he had “now well and truly got a leash around his behaviour” and “would benefit from intensive supervision”. 

During the sentencing, Magistrate Roger Prowse told the court Farnham had made statements throughout the incident saying the only way he was “leaving was in a body bag.”

Magistrate Prowse said Farnham had potential for harm, firstly to himself and to others, by sparking a fireball with a lighter and aerosol can.

“It was a stroke of luck that you didn’t set yourself on fire – or the unit,” Magistrate Prowse said.

He sentenced Farnham to an 18-month intensive corrections order for intimidation and a 12-month intensive corrections order for the second charge. 

Under the order Farnham will be subject to strict supervision from Corrective Services officers while in the community until the bond expires.