A Perth man has admitted to a distressing pattern of abusive and violent behaviour spanning several months against his former girlfriend, culminating in a harrowing incident where he held her captive in his flat. Kevin Watt, a 40-year-old electrician, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court, where the details of his actions were laid bare, painting a grim picture of intimidation and control.
The court heard that Watt’s reign of terror against his ex-partner unfolded between June 4 and December 18 of the previous year. His admissions included unlawfully detaining the woman and making chilling threats to take her life, as well as the life of a family member. Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that Watt had ‘terrorised’ his ex-partner through a combination of ‘frightening ways,’ causing her physical injuries. A Web of Deceit and Control Unravels
The abuse commenced when Watt, who has a history of domestic violence, encountered his ex-partner during a night out in Perth. Feigning remorse for his past actions, he managed to convince her to return to his home on Victoria Street. This seemingly conciliatory gesture quickly dissolved into a brutal assault upon their arrival at the property.
Once inside, the victim was subjected to a violent attack. Watt headbutted her forcefully, causing bruising to her forehead, and then shockingly bit her on the left cheek. The physical assault was compounded by his verbal accusations, as he falsely accused her of infidelity. Despite her desperate attempts to escape, Watt made it clear she was not permitted to leave, asserting his control over her movements.
The ordeal continued throughout the night. Watt maintained a constant vigil over his terrified ex-partner, preventing her from leaving and even restricting her privacy when she needed to use the toilet. He seized her mobile phone, using her own face to unlock it and then invasively scrutinising her personal messages. Trapped and fearful, the woman remained on the couch, too scared to sleep, until she eventually succumbed to exhaustion. Upon waking, she discovered Watt still watching her, reinforcing her sense of imprisonment.
After what was described as ‘significant begging,’ Watt eventually allowed his former partner to depart, enabling her to return to her children. The immediate aftermath saw her seeking medical attention at Ninewells for the visible injuries she had sustained, including the head bruising and bite marks on her cheek. However, out of fear, she refrained from identifying Watt as her attacker to the medical staff. Escalating Threats and a Pattern of Abuse
In the weeks that followed her escape, Watt continued his campaign of harassment through relentless phone calls and voicemails. His messages swung wildly between professions of apology and claims of seeking help, to vitriolic outbursts, where he hurled derogatory terms like ‘slut’ and ‘bitch’ at her. He demanded video calls as a perverse form of surveillance, forcing her to prove she was alone. The constant deluge of unwanted attention intensified with threats, including a chilling promise to ‘smash up’ her car if she did not comply with his demands to meet him.
The situation reached a critical point in November when Watt, visibly under the influence, appeared at her doorstep in Perth, carrying beer. Discovering discarded cigarette butts outside her back door, he erupted in a fit of ‘angry and jealous’ rage, knowing she did not smoke. He subjected her to further verbal abuse, calling her a ‘fat slag’ and demanding money. When she offered him cash in a desperate attempt to make him leave, he again resorted to calling her a ‘slut’ before departing with a final, ominous threat about her car windows.
This escalating pattern of behaviour, culminating in direct threats to kill both her and her father, finally prompted the victim to seek police intervention. She confided in officers about her mounting fear due to Watt’s increasingly volatile actions. A History of Domestic Intimidation
Watt’s current charges are not isolated incidents; the court was informed of his previous convictions related to domestic abuse. In 2023, he was prohibited from contacting the same ex-partner after admitting to a 16-week period of abusive conduct. This earlier behaviour included alarming text messages where he threatened to ‘chop off her head’ and subjected her to public humiliation by calling her ‘the biggest tart in Perth.’
Furthermore, in June, prior to the current charges, Watt received an 11-month jail sentence for violating a non-harassment order (NHO). This breach involved a torrent of menacing voicemails, with one particularly intense period seeing him send 54 messages within a mere six-and-a-half hours. The existing NHO remains in effect until February of the upcoming year, highlighting a persistent and dangerous pattern of intimidation. The court also noted that Watt had previously admitted to consuming up to 12 pints of alcohol daily.
Given the severity and ongoing nature of his actions, Watt has been remanded in custody at HMP Polmont. Sheriff Bain KC has deferred his sentencing for further background reports, explicitly stating that post-release supervision would be a key consideration. This case underscores the serious and damaging impact of domestic abuse on individuals within our community and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, ensuring that the tranquil streets of Perth and Kinross remain safe for all residents.
The court heard that Watt’s reign of terror against his ex-partner unfolded between June 4 and December 18 of the previous year. His admissions included unlawfully detaining the woman and making chilling threats to take her life, as well as the life of a family member. Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that Watt had ‘terrorised’ his ex-partner through a combination of ‘frightening ways,’ causing her physical injuries. A Web of Deceit and Control Unravels
The abuse commenced when Watt, who has a history of domestic violence, encountered his ex-partner during a night out in Perth. Feigning remorse for his past actions, he managed to convince her to return to his home on Victoria Street. This seemingly conciliatory gesture quickly dissolved into a brutal assault upon their arrival at the property.
Once inside, the victim was subjected to a violent attack. Watt headbutted her forcefully, causing bruising to her forehead, and then shockingly bit her on the left cheek. The physical assault was compounded by his verbal accusations, as he falsely accused her of infidelity. Despite her desperate attempts to escape, Watt made it clear she was not permitted to leave, asserting his control over her movements.
The ordeal continued throughout the night. Watt maintained a constant vigil over his terrified ex-partner, preventing her from leaving and even restricting her privacy when she needed to use the toilet. He seized her mobile phone, using her own face to unlock it and then invasively scrutinising her personal messages. Trapped and fearful, the woman remained on the couch, too scared to sleep, until she eventually succumbed to exhaustion. Upon waking, she discovered Watt still watching her, reinforcing her sense of imprisonment.
After what was described as ‘significant begging,’ Watt eventually allowed his former partner to depart, enabling her to return to her children. The immediate aftermath saw her seeking medical attention at Ninewells for the visible injuries she had sustained, including the head bruising and bite marks on her cheek. However, out of fear, she refrained from identifying Watt as her attacker to the medical staff. Escalating Threats and a Pattern of Abuse
In the weeks that followed her escape, Watt continued his campaign of harassment through relentless phone calls and voicemails. His messages swung wildly between professions of apology and claims of seeking help, to vitriolic outbursts, where he hurled derogatory terms like ‘slut’ and ‘bitch’ at her. He demanded video calls as a perverse form of surveillance, forcing her to prove she was alone. The constant deluge of unwanted attention intensified with threats, including a chilling promise to ‘smash up’ her car if she did not comply with his demands to meet him.
The situation reached a critical point in November when Watt, visibly under the influence, appeared at her doorstep in Perth, carrying beer. Discovering discarded cigarette butts outside her back door, he erupted in a fit of ‘angry and jealous’ rage, knowing she did not smoke. He subjected her to further verbal abuse, calling her a ‘fat slag’ and demanding money. When she offered him cash in a desperate attempt to make him leave, he again resorted to calling her a ‘slut’ before departing with a final, ominous threat about her car windows.
This escalating pattern of behaviour, culminating in direct threats to kill both her and her father, finally prompted the victim to seek police intervention. She confided in officers about her mounting fear due to Watt’s increasingly volatile actions. A History of Domestic Intimidation
Watt’s current charges are not isolated incidents; the court was informed of his previous convictions related to domestic abuse. In 2023, he was prohibited from contacting the same ex-partner after admitting to a 16-week period of abusive conduct. This earlier behaviour included alarming text messages where he threatened to ‘chop off her head’ and subjected her to public humiliation by calling her ‘the biggest tart in Perth.’
Furthermore, in June, prior to the current charges, Watt received an 11-month jail sentence for violating a non-harassment order (NHO). This breach involved a torrent of menacing voicemails, with one particularly intense period seeing him send 54 messages within a mere six-and-a-half hours. The existing NHO remains in effect until February of the upcoming year, highlighting a persistent and dangerous pattern of intimidation. The court also noted that Watt had previously admitted to consuming up to 12 pints of alcohol daily.
Given the severity and ongoing nature of his actions, Watt has been remanded in custody at HMP Polmont. Sheriff Bain KC has deferred his sentencing for further background reports, explicitly stating that post-release supervision would be a key consideration. This case underscores the serious and damaging impact of domestic abuse on individuals within our community and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, ensuring that the tranquil streets of Perth and Kinross remain safe for all residents.