Judge's three words to self-described psychopath after what happened in pub
Aaron Kerr, from the Wirral, Merseyside, has been jailed for the latest in a series of attacks in pubs where he drunkenly threw an ashtray at a woman's head
A self-dubbed "psychopath" was told by a judge "we meet again" after a latest pub attack where he threw an ashtray at a woman's head.
Aaron Kerr was previously allowed to walk free from Liverpool Crown Court despite chasing a man out of a bar while brandishing a knife. But he then blew this second chance by setting off fire extinguishers and threatening police officers with a pair of scissors during a further episode of drunken violence in a pub. To compound matters even further, the self-described "psychopath" went on to leave yet another innocent victim with a bloody wound following a prank gone wrong after another drinking session.
The same court heard on Tuesday, that Kerr, from Beechwood, Wirral, Merseyside spent several hours drinking in the Stork Hotel in Birkenhead on March 27 this year. But Hannah Darling, prosecuting, detailed how he "caused a nuisance" by trespassing behind the bar, throwing drinks and setting off fire extinguishers, reported the Liverpool Echo.
Having been told to leave the premises by manager Michelle Clark as a result, the 38-year-old warned her that "he was a psychopath". Kerr thereafter grabbed her phone from her hand when she attempted to call the pub's owner and threatened to "put her in the ground".
The defendant subsequently grabbed another customer, Paul Watson, around the neck and wrestled him to the ground before repeatedly punching him in the face. When Ms Clark, along with another member of the public, tried to intervene, he told her: "Get off my hand before I slap you."
Having become aware of police officers in attendance, Kerr then pulled a pair of scissors from his pocket and threatened to stab them. PCs were forced to draw their tasers in order to detain him, and later said he "felt s***" upon being shown CCTV footage of the incident by police.
Kerr subsequently attended the Coach and Horses pub in Moreton on May 17, where he drunkenly placed a metal ashtray onto the head of a woman named Natasha Harvey in an apparent practical joke. However, when she did likewise to him, he responded by throwing the blunt object at her head from across the table.
This left her with a wound measuring three to four centimetres in length and around one to two centimetres wide. Under interview, he stated that he had visited the pub after a Christening while "intoxicated" but said he "wouldn't have done something if someone else hadn't started it".
His criminal record shows a total of seven previous convictions for 12 offences, including an affray in 2010. He was then handed a 17-month community order with unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement for the same charge in June last year, by Judge David Swinnerton, who he now appeared before during his latest court date. This came after he chased his victim out of a pub while armed with a Stanley knife.
Joanne Maxwell, defending, said on his behalf: "One can see that this is a man who is capable of staying out of trouble. There is a gap in his offending between 2010 and 2020. 2020 is when his sister lost her life suddenly and unexpectedly, and he turned to drink.
"All of these offences have been fuelled by alcohol, and that is the real evil in this case. This is a man who clearly needs help. He needs a period of abstinence, and a lengthy period of abstinence."
Kerr admitted two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, assault, possession of a bladed article in a public place and breaching a community order. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a navy blue Moose Knuckles jumper, he was jailed for two years.
Sentencing, Judge Swinnerton said: "It is unfortunate that we meet again. You had demonstrated, until June 2024, an ability to stay out of trouble. That was what was in my mind when I gave you an opportunity with the community order.
"You had been out of trouble, aside from one conviction for shoplifting, for more than 14 years at that stage. But you went to the Stork Hotel bar. You got drunk. It is clear that that is your problem. You let yourself down. You have let yourself down time and time again lately through drink.
"For no real reason, you became abusive towards customers. You began punching him and continued to punch him on the floor. You persistently and repeatedly punched him. You then armed yourself with some scissors from the bar and made threats that you were going to stab the police officers when they came to try to sort you out.
"You pleaded guilty to those matters and were bailed awaiting sentence. You went to the Coach and Horses pub, where, again, you got drunk. I am pretty certain that everyone had had a drink.
"You put an ashtray upside down on her head. That was intended as a joke. That was then put back on your head, and that was not taken as a joke despite you having done exactly the same to her. You threw it with some force at her from across the table, less than a metre away. Again, you lost your temper for no good reason whatsoever other than you were in drink.
"On that occasion, I gave you an opportunity to serve a sentence in the community, which was designed to assist you and, to be fair, you made a good job of that. You have done all of the hours of unpaid work and 10 out of 20 RAR days.
"In terms of changing your ways and learning anything, the five offences for which I have to sentence you demonstrate not. I take the view that, once you have had a chance, as you had from me last year, to rehabilitate yourself in the community and you go on to commit five further offences on two occasions of a similar nature, the only appropriate sentence is one of immediate custody.
"You will have a relatively long time now, sober and clear of alcohol. If you want to spend your life working hard and looking after your family, as you are perfectly capable of doing, you need to think carefully about how much you are drinking upon your release."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Sharp rise in Stirling knife crime sees response from cops and First Minister
The figures - acquired by a Conservative MSP - have revealed a "shocking" rise in the number of incidents involving 'bladed or pointed article crimes' from 2022 to 2024. A 'shocking' surge in knife crime incidents has been revealed in Stirling over the last two years according to newly-released data. The figures were discovered by Central Scotland MSP Stephen Kerr in a parliamentary question at Holyrood which asked about the number of 'bladed or pointed article crimes' reported across the council area. The data shows that 81 such crimes were recorded in Stirling in 2024, rocketing up from 48 in 2022. Mr Kerr has raised the alarm over the figures and the impact on local communities - while taking a shot at the Scottish Government's handling of the issue. The MSP — who is standing at the Conservative candidate in the Stirling constituency at next year's Holyrood election — said: 'These shocking figures lay bare the SNP Government's abject failure to get a grip on Scotland's knife crime epidemic. 'This terrible surge in knife crime in Stirling in just two years isn't just a statistic; it's a terrifying indictment of a justice system that is failing our communities. 'Enough is enough. The SNP need to stop their soft-touch approach to justice, get tough on knife crime, and make Stirling safe again.' The most recent data from Statista shows a record high in the number of incidents recorded by police involving offensive weapons of all kinds (including knives and bladed weapons), with 10,835 such crimes highlighted in 2023/24. Forth Valley area commander, Superintendent Lynsey Kidd said tackling knife violence is a priority for local officers. She added: 'We recently launched an offensive weapon initiative across Forth Valley aimed at tackling and reducing the carrying of weapons, including knives. 'We acknowledge the impact that violent crime has on individuals, families, and local communities, and we remain resolute in our commitment to keeping our communities safe. This includes highly visible patrols across Stirling and Forth Valley, to prevent and detect issues and reassure the public. 'Recognising that the underlying factors are often complex in nature, we work closely with our national and local partners to draw on their collective expertise and resources to develop and deliver tailored responses to detect, deter and respond to such crime.' She added: 'As ever, we thank the public for their support and seek their help to hold offenders to account. If you have information, please contact us on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' First Minister John Swinney — who this week convened a cross-party summit on youth violence — said: 'There is absolutely no justification for carrying any weapon, including knives, at anytime, anywhere — and we must be relentless in that message to young people. 'We must make sure we are doing everything possible to respond to the changing behaviours of young people at an early stage, while ensuring parents are aware of the help and support available. 'Challenging crime and anti-social behaviour is the responsibility of everyone which is why our approach to tackling violence among young people is focused on education programmes, on the unacceptability of violence, effective punishment for offences, appropriate police powers and sustained school and community engagement. 'This will help show young people the dangers and consequences of violence, including carrying a weapon, and help prevent them from making decisions which could determine the rest of their life and devastate the lives of others.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Lawyer claims state-owned oil company may have blocked efforts to rescue divers trapped inside underwater pipe because it was 'cheaper to allow them to die'
Podcast All episodes Play on Apple Spotify On the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Pipeline podcast, reporter Isabelle Stanley examines the chilling theories as to why Paria blocked efforts to rescue four men trapped in an underwater oil pipe. From compensation plots to international conspiracy, Stanley interviews legal experts and journalists to test the credibility of theories that emerged in the wake of the Caribbean Diving Disaster. In February 2022, five divers were sucked hundreds of feet into a 30-inch pipe they were repairing off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. Despite one of the divers, Christopher Boodram, escaping after an unimaginable three-hour ordeal, rescue attempts for the remaining four were repeatedly blocked, leaving them to die slowly in what became a national scandal. The pipe was managed by Paria, one arm of Trinidad's state-owned oil company. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Trinidad's then-Energy Minister Stuart Young launched an official enquiry, led by one of the UK's top international criminal barristers, Jerome Lynch KC. Lynch concluded that the four divers weren't rescued because of a series of mistakes, incompetence and inaction by Paria. Despite his recommendation that the oil company be charged with corporate manslaughter, police have issued only vague statements that an investigation remains ongoing Despite his recommendation that the oil company be charged with corporate manslaughter, police have issued only vague statements that an investigation remains ongoing. This stalemate and lack of closure has created an information vacuum - which residents of Trinidad have filled with hundreds of theories, trying to work out why Paria abandoned the rescue effort. Rightly or wrongly, the victims' families wonder if there is something more… another reason to explain why their loved ones were left to die - something other than pure negligence or incompetence. Prakash Ramadhar, a lawyer representing two of the victims' families, told the podcast that he believes the oil giant may have thwarted a rescue to avoid the costs associated with caring for the injured divers if they had been pulled out alive. He claims any survivors may have suffered life-changing injuries, creating lifelong financial liability for the company. Mr Ramadhar said: 'I believe that Paria's initial belief was that they all had perished and if they had not perished, they would soon perish. 'As crass as it may sound, there is a belief in the legal fraternity that it may have been cheaper to allow the men to die than it was to rescue them, broken and maimed. 'Ensuring their medical wellbeing and upkeep for their rest of their lives is far more expensive than allowing them to die.' To hear Stanley interrogate this theory and many others that emerged in the wake of the Caribbean Diving Disaster, search for Pipeline now, wherever you get your podcasts.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Man caught hurling makeshift Peroni petrol bomb in revenge attack on own dad
Phillip Neill called his father a "lucky son of a b****" after the flaming beer bottle bounced off his van and smashed on the ground, causing a fire in the roadway outside his house CCTV footage captured the moments before an arsonist turned a bottle of Peroni into a makeshift petrol bomb and hurled it at his dad's van. Phillip Neill's Ford Focus was caught on camera driving up and down the road past his father's home on Birdwell Drive in Warrington in an apparent "recce", a court heard. Phillip Neill called his father a "lucky son of a b****" after the flaming beer bottle bounced off the vehicle to the ground, causing only minor damage to the road outside his house the jury was told. Liverpool Crown Court heard that Neill's relationship with his dad Robert Neill "had been strained over the years", after they became estranged following an incident in 2015 when the 31-year-old, of Lingmell Avenue in St Helens, threatened to set fire to his dad's van. But the pair had had a 'recent reconciliation' in January after Robert arranged building work for his son. However things took a sour turn, as Christopher Taylor, prosecuting described how the pair fell out again after the defendant failed to turn up to the job, the Liverpool Echo reports. This led to Neill junior sending a string of "angry and abusive" messages to his dad throughout March 12 2025, it was said. That evening CCTV captured the defendant's 'recce' with the same cameras showing him appear to set a glass bottle alight and hurl it in the direction of his dad's address, with the improvised device bouncing off his father's van and smashing in the road. Around 10 minutes later, he followed up the attack by messaging his victim: "You lucky son of a b****." Robert Neill reported hearing 'a loud bang' outside his house before discovering a fire and the remains of a glass Peroni bottle in the road. Police were called to the scene where officers "noted a smell of accelerant". Neill was arrested at 4am the following day, with the cap of a Peroni bottle and an air rifle being seized from his car. Mr Niell detailed how he had suffered a panic attack waiting for the emergency services to arrive. In a statement read to the court he said: 'I hadn't seen Phillip for many years. When he contacted me in January this year, I felt it was a set up. "I gave him the benefit of the doubt, as it was my son. Phillip needs support with his mental health, and I want him to have the right help to make him better. However, I have serious concerns regarding my personal safety should he be released back into the community." Mr Taylor further told the court that, while on remand in custody, Neill was reported to have commented "if I was outside, I would kill my dad". He has two previous convictions for drug driving and possession of cannabis in 2016 and 2023. Peter Barnett, defending, said on his behalf: "He and his father had a poor relationship. The defendant has no interest in reconnecting with his father in future. He was in a poor state of mind that night. There was no damage caused, effectively, to any particular property, only minor damage to the roadway, which did not need any form of repair. "With regards to the remark referred to, he has no understanding of where that has come from. Clearly, at the time of the commission of this offence, there had been that toxic relationship with his father from the past. They had not seen each other for a significant period of time. "A lack of permanent accommodation was a factor in his deteriorating mental health. He was unable to control his emotions, which were clearly exacerbated by the fact of his personality disorder. "He has, in the past 12 months, made attempts on his life. His mental health in custody has not particularly improved. He is medicated in relation to his depression. He wants to seek further help while in custody. He finds prison a safe space and wants to get help. It was impulsive. He has no relevant previous convictions or significant convictions on his record." Appearing via video link from HMP Altcourse Neill admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. He was jailed for 28 months and handed an indefinite restraining order on Friday. Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: "You had, for some time, carried a grievance. Your relationship had been strained over the years. Although it appears that there may have been a recent reconciliation between you and your father, you fell out again over your failure to attend for work at a job he had arranged for you. "That resulted in a series of angry text messages from you to your father. Later that evening, CCTV footage captured your car pulling up close to your father's home then moving away again. I am satisfied that what you were doing was checking your father's van was on the driveway of his address. "At about 9.30pm that evening, you threw a petrol bomb at your father's vehicle. Happily, it bounced off the vehicle and into the road, causing little, if any, damage. "There has been a profound effect on him psychologically. It is the first thing he thinks about in the morning, and he struggles to get sleep. He recognises that you need support for your mental health, but remains scared for his own safety. "If that petrol bomb had exploded near to the van and set alight the petrol tank, that could quite quickly have spread to the house where you father was present. I do recognise, however, as a matter of fact, that very little, if any, actual damage was caused, and I shall take that into account. "This clearly was a revenge attack that involved a significant degree of planning. You completely lack remorse. You are a danger to your father. I have no idea when that will cease to be the case."
