Father’s Day terror for victim of abuse

A young dad made chilling threats of violence against his partner on Father’s Day, a court was told.

Foul-mouthed Joshua Kerr, 26, swore, shouted and left abusive voicemail messages for his partner Danielle McVey that left her fearing for her safety.

At Paisley Sheriff Court, Kerr appeared in the dock where he admitted responsibility for putting Ms McVey in state of fear and alarm at a house in Claud Road, Paisley, after phoning her and shouting, swearing and uttering threats of violence.

Fiscal depute Saud Hassan told the court that Kerr, of Ard Road in Renfrew, was pleading guilty to the charge, and that he has previous convictions.

But his defence agent said Kerr, who was estranged from his partner at the time, believed Ms McVey was using their child against him.

He said:“I understand the court may call for reports prior to sentencing, but as a background my client believes the child was being weaponised by the mother.

“And the phone call referred to was made on Father’s Day.”

The lawyer added he would like to reserve his full submission in defence of his client until he appears for sentencing.

Court papers reveal that Kerr admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm in that he left messages and did shout, swear and utter threats of violence at Ms McVey his partner on June 18 last year.

He also admitted a breach of bail by failing to attend court in Paisley on November 16 last year.

Sheriff Seith Ireland said he was adjourning matters to call for a Criminal Justice Social Work Report and that he was continuing bail for six weeks.

Kerr will learn of his fate when he reappears for sentence on March 13.