Pierce Joseph Kerr jailed for burglary, stealing and threatening young couple in front of their children

An Albany man who faced court last week wanted to receive a prison sentence so he could have stable accommodation away from drugs and alcohol. Pierce Joseph Kerr, 21, appeared in Albany Magistrates Court via video link from Albany Regional Prison last Thursday, pleading guilty to being armed in a way that may cause fear, disorderly behaviour in lock-up, burglary and three counts of stealing. Police prosecutor Sgt Dave Loverock told the court about 4pm on January 25, Kerr threatened a young couple in front of their children in Orana. “The accused approached a 28-year-old woman and 26-year-old man out the front of their house,” he said. “Swearing, he had a wooden bat and directed most of his abuse towards the woman.” Sgt Loverock said Kerr was loud enough for the couple’s young children to come out of the house. The woman, “fearful for their safety”, stood in front of her children to protect them from Kerr, who was standing a metre away. The incident escalated when Kerr raised the bat above his head “as if he was going to swing it” and continued to yell abuse and threats, Sgt Loverock said. He then walked next door and smashed a letter box. Kerr was arrested by police at the scene and taken to Albany Police Station, where he continued his tirade. About 5.40pm, Kerr was placed in a lock-up holding cell. “Aggressive and agitated”, he spat a mixture of blood and phlegm on a glass wall after “headbutting and punching himself”, Sgt Loverock said. The cell needed a bio-hazard clean, costing more than $700. Those offences came about two months after he committed a burglary in Spencer Park and stole from two Albany bottle shops. The court was told Kerr had no stable accommodation outside of prison. Defence lawyer Liz Hamilton said she was on “strong instructions that he doesn’t want to go on an order”. “He’d prefer to stay in jail,” Ms Hamilton said. “If he remains in jail he’s less likely to engage with alcohol or methamphetamine use.” Magistrate Dianne Scaddan said the January 25 offences were “concerning”. She said Kerr had previously breached other community-based orders. Kerr received a nine-month prison sentence, backdated to when he was taken into custody on February 8. He was fined $400 for the stealing offences and ordered to pay compensation for the bio-clean.