Scared woman barricaded herself in bedroom when abusive partner had been drinking

-Credit: (Image: Hamilton Advertiser)
-Credit: (Image: Hamilton Advertiser)


A woman was so scared of her abusive partner that she would barricade herself in a bedroom when he'd been drinking.

Kristopher Kerrigan, 36, of Pine Grove, Calderbank, is now behind bars after he admitted domestic abuse charges.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard his victim lost weight and suffered anxiety as a result of derogatory comments he made about her.

The physical and verbal abuse happened between 2019 and 2023.

Kerrigan also admitted failing to attend court and sending the woman abusive and threatening messages between July 31 and August 31 this year.

The court heard that he poured a two-litre bottle of water over her on one occasion after hearing that an ex-partner had sent her a message asking how she was.

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Rebecca Clark, prosecuting, said: "The accused would drink most Saturdays. The victim would use furniture to barricade herself in a room because she was scared when he was under the influence.

"He became aggressive and she didn't know what he would do."

When angry he would "throw at her whatever was in his hands".

On one occasion the woman contacted the police after Kerrigan slapped her.

Officers found her crying and saw bruising but she refused to say what had happened.

Kerrigan berated her for reporting him, saying: "You are ruining my life. I could have left you black and blue and you still shouldn't have phoned the police."

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He was due to stand trial in August but failed to return from a holiday in Greece in time.

Instead, he sent the victim messages, including one that read: "I swear I'll murder you. I'm coming for you."

Ms Clark said Kerrigan was arrested at Manchester Airport on his return from Greece on September 10. He has been in custody since.

Defence lawyer Luke O'Curry described the couple's relationship as "toxic".

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He conceded that messages sent by his client were "abhorrent" but added: "These were empty words. There's nothing to suggest he would have carried out his threats."

Sheriff John Hamilton deferred sentence until next month for background reports and refused bail, citing the serious nature of the offences and Kerrigan possibly being a "flight risk".

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