England star's father charged after siege

The father of England soccer international Ledley King is behind bars after an armed siege, it emerged today.

Herbert Patterson, 44, was remanded in custody after allegedly breaking into an exlover's house on 7 March.

He was charged with aggravated burglary and false imprisonment of a 40-year-old woman, a Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed.

According to reports, officers stormed the house of Patterson's former girlfriend Janet Mainwaring in Leytonstone after a 15-hour stand-off.

Patterson, whose son was named in the squad for next month's Euro 2004 championships, is accused of enteringthe house at 7.30am while she was looking after her children, aged four and five.

He was detained at 10pm and remanded in custody by Waltham magistrates the next day. He is due to reappear on Thursday. Patterson, who is also the father of Ledley's brother Emerson, 15, was with their mother Beverley King for about 10 years but they never married.

King, 23, who plays in midfield for Tottenham, is seen by many as a future successor to Sol Campbell in England's defence. After his selection for Euro 2004 he praised the influence his parents had on him.