Girl, six, freed after 39-hour armed siege ends

Paul Eames was seized after the child, who is believed to be his stepdaughter Sophie, was led out by the hand by a police negotiator.

The blonde-haired girl, wearing a bright pink hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms and trainers, appeared unharmed by her ordeal and was taken to a waiting car.

Over: Paul Eames is led away by police today in Eastfield, Scarborough

Eames, 32, was led out 15 minutes later by two uniformed officers as a baying crowd shouted 'get him out',  'scumbag' and 'sicko' from behind a cordon.

The 32-year-old, who began the siege following a 'domestic argument' at 11pm on Monday, appeared to walk with a pronounced limp as he was put into a police van.

Around a hundred people cheered and hurled abuse at him as tall, shaven-headed Eames, wearing a white polo shirt, was led from the home at 2.25pm today.

Earlier reports had suggested that the siege began as a result of a domestic  disturbance between the man and his partner, believed to be called Sally.

Witnesses claimed they has seen him brandishing a knife, but police have not confirmed this.

At one point he appeared to produce a mobile phone which he waved in the  direction of the officers.

It is also believed that armed officers had been situated in the small home's  downstairs area.

The siege ended just hours after his parents David and Margaret made an emotional appeal to give himself up.

Mr Eames said: 'I want to tell him to come out and we'll sort it out

'We'll do all we can for him.'

'The longer it goes on the worse it is going to get.

Desperate: Eames leans out the window during the siege to talk to police

Police were originally called to the run-down housing estate in Eastfield,  Scarborough, North Yorks at 11.05pm on Monday night, and quickly cordoned off a  large section of Herdborough Road, where the drama was taking place.

Neighbour Edna Bennett said: 'The family moved in last Christmas. I used to see him walking the little girl to school with two big Rottweiler dogs.

'It's quite scary seeing all these police with guns outside your house, you  feel very isolated.

'No-one really knows what's going on. It's a quiet  neighbourhood where most people keep themselves to themselves, I never thought  anything like this would happen here.'

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said the Firearms Support Unit and  police negotiators were called in to assist with the control of the incident  due to a 'potential threat to life'.

The spokesperson said: 'The 32-year-old man was taken into police custody to  assist with enquiries and the girl is being cared for at a place of safety .

Det Chief Supt Steve Read, who co-ordinated the operation, said: 'The primary  intention of North Yorkshire Police throughout this difficult situation was to  resolve the incident without harm to anybody involved.

'I am satisfied with the  way we achieved our objective.

'I am very grateful for the professionalism shown by North Yorkshire Police  Officers and staff throughout this lengthy operation and for the assistance  provided by our community partners and neighbouring forces.  

'North Yorkshire Police are conscious of the significant disruption to the  people living in and around Herdborough Road due to the police cordon that was  put in place to ensure public safety.

'North Yorkshire Police would like to thank local residents for their patience  and support.'