Jail term cut for Perth hostage taker

A lovelorn and depressed man who wanted to be shot dead by police but was instead left a paraplegic after a siege at his ex-girlfriend's Perth home has had his six-year jail term reduced.

Daniel John Ashley burst into the Mosman Park property in June 2015, armed with weapons including a replica gun and a baton.

Ashley, then aged 26, immediately struck his ex and held her hostage along with four other people, including the mother of one of her housemates.

The victims were bound and gagged, and he turned off their mobile phones.

Ashley made several calls to triple-zero insisting he speak with a police negotiator and threatened to shoot someone if his demands were not met.

After about three hours, he left the house via the front door brandishing the replica pistol and approached police, who repeatedly ordered him to drop his gun.

Ashley ignored them, and was shot in the torso and collapsed.

As officers approached, he lifted the gun and pointed it in their direction and was shot in the side of his face.

A psychiatrist who assessed Ashley for the court said in her report:

"When the appellant's relationship with his ex-girlfriend came to an end, he made a number of unsuccessful attempts to discuss with her the reasons for the break up.

"That contributed to the appellant becoming increasingly depressed. The appellant's emotional distress and desperation culminated on the day of the offences when he became determined to 'die with a statement'."

Ashley, who was left incontinent, challenged the length of his sentence, arguing he would suffer more than others in prison as a result of his physical impairment.

His appeal was upheld on Tuesday and he was re-sentenced to four years and six months behind bars.