**Judge Laments Repeat Appearance of Self-Proclaimed ‘Psychopath’ Following Pub Assaults**
A Merseyside man who described himself as a ‘psychopath’ has been jailed after a fresh spate of violent incidents, leaving a judge to remark with regret, “it is unfortunate that we meet again.” Aaron Kerr, aged 38, of Beechwood, Wirral, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court once more, having squandered an earlier chance at community-based rehabilitation.
Kerr’s latest convictions stem from two separate alcohol-fuelled disturbances in local pubs and involved assaults on both punters and staff. According to proceedings on 11 June, the court heard how Kerr’s drinking spiralled out of control during a lengthy session at the Stork Hotel in Birkenhead on 27 March this year.
Prosecutor Hannah Darling outlined how Kerr caused chaos by trespassing behind the bar, launching drinks, and discharging fire extinguishers within the establishment. When challenged by the venue’s manager, Michelle Clark, Kerr warned her that he was a ‘psychopath’ and snatched her mobile phone as she tried to call for help, threatening ominously to ‘put her in the ground’.
The atmosphere rapidly deteriorated. Kerr attacked a fellow customer, Paul Watson, dragging him to the ground by the neck and punching him repeatedly. As others intervened in a bid to prevent further violence, Kerr responded with further threats and aggression, telling Ms Clark, “Get off my hand before I slap you.” The escalation prompted police to attend, and officers were greeted with additional hostility. Kerr produced a pair of scissors from his pocket and threatened to stab them, forcing police to draw their tasers to subdue him.
In a separate incident in May, Kerr attended the Coach and Horses pub in Moreton after a christening and, having consumed yet more alcohol, placed a metal ashtray on the head of a woman, Natasha Harvey, as a purported joke. When Ms Harvey reciprocated, Kerr retaliated by hurling the ashtray at her, leaving her with a wound several centimetres long. Kerr subsequently claimed he had been provoked and was heavily intoxicated at the time.
Kerr’s criminal history details a pattern of violent conduct. In addition to previous offences, including affray in 2010, last year he narrowly avoided a custodial sentence for chasing a man from a bar while wielding a Stanley knife. On that occasion, Judge David Swinnerton imposed a 17-month community order, focusing on rehabilitation and unpaid work, hoping Kerr could reform. However, the events that followed indicated little positive change.
Defending, Joanne Maxwell emphasised that Kerr was not inevitably destined for trouble, highlighting a period between 2010 and 2020 where he had no convictions. She attributed his subsequent relapse to the sudden death of his sister in 2020, after which Kerr began struggling with alcohol abuse. Maxwell said, “All these offences have been fuelled by alcohol… He needs a period of abstinence, and a lengthy period at that.”
Kerr ultimately admitted a series of charges, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, assault, possession of a bladed article, and breaching his previous community order. Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he received a two-year custodial sentence.
During sentencing, Judge Swinnerton reflected on his previous leniency: “It is unfortunate that we meet again. You had, until June 2024, shown an ability to stay out of trouble, which is why I offered you a community order. Yet you have let yourself down time and time again through drink.”
The judge emphasised the repetitive nature of Kerr’s offending, noting that any hope of reform had been dashed by continued violent episodes. “Once you have had a chance… and you go on to commit further offences, the only appropriate sentence is one of immediate custody.”
Kerr now faces a significant stint in prison, with the judge noting this may give him the time and opportunity to achieve sobriety. He left Kerr with the advice that if he wished to provide for his family in future, a drastic change in his relationship with alcohol would be essential. The case once again raises wider questions about the intersection of substance misuse and repeat offending, as communities seek solutions beyond the courtroom.