A man who held nine Pretoria News advertising personnel hostage in April last year, was on Thursday given a suspended sentence.

A condition was that Lionel George submit himself to treatment programmes prescribed by a probation officer and a psychologist.

George (33), earlier pleaded guilty to nine charges of kidnapping and charges of being in the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Several reports were handed in to the Pretoria regional court, explaining that he suffered from a personality disorder, was of above average intelligence, and had been the victim of violent crimes at least eight times.

On three occasions, he had to kill his attackers in order to defend himself — traumatic experiences that drove George to the newspaper’s office in Pretoria central on 25 April 2007.

He told the court that he wanted a story on how crime was getting out of hand and affecting victims. However, when he later returned to the office, the reporter was not there.

George recalled how he forced his way into the building and ended up at the advertising department.

On Thursday, magistrate Ben Booysen said the offences George were convicted of were so serious, that in the older days people were given the death sentence for it.

"On your own evidence the victims had several terrifying moments, especially when a shot was fired," the magistrate said.

Calling George’s hostage attempt "amateurish", Booysen said at least no one was physically injured.

He took into account that the accused pleaded guilty, showed remorse, was a first offender and had spent 15 months in jail awaiting trial.

He warned George that the success of the sentence depended on his cooperation.

George was sentenced to three years imprisonment, suspended for five years for the possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He was sentenced to another five years in jail for the kidnappings, suspended for five years.

George was ordered to submit himself to treatment programmes for his rehabilitation.

His mother Daleen told reporters afterwards she was relieved her son was not going to prison.

Sapa