hostage in their own home for the night, Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Omar Parsons, 19, claimed he had been high on marijuana at the time. But the prosecution said it was suspected he suffered from a mental disorder.

He had been watching television with his two young brothers and cousin at about midnight last Sunday when he suddenly grabbed a belt and began beating them, Prosecutor Sgt. Earl Kirby said.

He tied a Walkman chord around their necks and made them kneel on the floor and call him "master'' while he beat them further.

When his mother came to see what was going on, he attacked her as well, Sgt.

Kirby said.

Parsons made all four get on the bed and then lashed at them with the belt and a walking stick. He threw a bottle and ceramic vase at his mother.

His mother and brother Okono suffered head injuries.

Parsons locked them in the bedroom and refused to let his brothers and cousin go to the bathroom when they asked.

One of his brothers eventually ex creted in his clothing and passed out.

Sgt. Kirby said Parsons' family heard him chanting he was going to kill them and make their deaths "slow and long''.

His brothers eventually managed to escape through a window and summon help despite being pursued by Parsons.

Parsons was later arrested under the Mental Health Act and detained at the Hamilton Police Station.

Sgt. Kirby said his family did not want him back. He added it was suspected that he suffered from schizophrenia.

Parsons pleaded guilty yesterday to detaining his family against their will and assaulting and causing bodily harm to his mother and brother Okono, 12.

He denied assaulting and harming his other brother and cousin, both 13. The prosecution agreed to offer no evidence on those charges.

Parsons told the court he had detained his family in the bedroom because be believed one of them had stolen his money and he had been high on marijuana.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis ordered psychiatric and social inquiry reports and remanded him in custody while they were carried out.

Sentencing was set for July 7.