FRENCH footballer Christian Nade appeared in court yesterday accused of repeatedly battering his former girlfriend and threatening to kidnap an 11-month-old baby in Renfrew.

Nade, who was capped by France at under-21 level and plays in the Scottish Championship for Dumbarton, denies assaulting Laura Kennedy on three separate occasions.

He also denies battering Miss Kennedy's dad and leaving him and her mum scared and alarmed on Mother's Day.

Nade, 33, was arrested over the claims and held in police custody, pending his Paisley Sheriff Court appearance.

He then appeared handcuffed in the dock yesterday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to the six charges against him, all of which are said to have been committed between December 5 last year and March 11 this year at addresses in Renfrew.

Nade denies assaulting Miss Kennedy at an address in Kirkaig Avenue by striking her on the head to her injury on December 5.

A second assault charge states he struck her on the head with "a boxed toy car" to her injury at the same address on December 12.

And, on February 12, he is said to have assaulted her to her injury at the property by striking her on the head.

Prosecutors claim the alleged assaults are aggravated by involving abuse of his partner, as per Section 1 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016.

Nade also denies behaving in a threatening or abusive way towards Miss Kennedy, which placed her in a state of fear and alarm, by shouting and swearing at her and acting in an aggressive manner towards her, and threatening to kidnap a child, on various occasions between December 5 and February 2.

He further denies placing her parents, Ann and Lawrence Kennedy, in a state of fear an alarm by acting in an aggressive and intimidating manner towards them at a property in Tay Avenue.

And he denies a final charge of assaulting her 60-year-old dad to his injury by pushing him into a high chair, going head to head with him, punching him on the head, causing him to hit his head off a window and fall to the ground and punching and striking him on the head.

Defence solicitor Aimee Doran said: "I appear on behalf of Mr Nade. He tenders pleas of not guilty to all charges on the complaint and seeks bail.

"He is a professional football player and is employed by Dumbarton Football Club."

Sheriff Tom Ward agreed to release Nade, who has also played for Hearts, Dundee, Raith Rovers, Hamilton Accies, Stranraer and Annan Athletic, on bail with special conditions banning him from approaching or contacting his alleged victims.

As he did so, Sheriff Ward warned him not to breach the special conditions, adding: "If you do that, there's a chance you'll be remanded in custody. Bear that in mind."

Nade is due to go on trial in May, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for next month.