Stephen Paterson: Renfrew thug threatened to ‘chop up’ his mother

Stephen Paterson, 36, was high on heroin when he set upon Isobel Kerr at the home they share in Knockhill Road, Renfrew.

Miss Kerr, 54, was trying to get to sleep on the afternoon of March 6 this year, as she was feeling ill at the time, but was unable to drift off because Paterson was making so much noise.

When she asked him to be quiet, he attacked her.

The details emerged last week when Paterson appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court.

He admitted assaulting his mother and behaving in a threatening or abusive way by repeatedly threatening to chop her up whilst in possession of a knife and an axe.

Procurator fiscal depute David McDonald said: “Mr Paterson, by his own admission, is a drug addict and had been taking heroin at the time of the incident.

“On March 3, Miss Kerr was within her bed as she was not feeling well. Her son was within the house, under the influence of drugs. He was agitated and being noisy and she challenged him in relation to this as she was attempting to rest.

“This resulted in an argument between them.”

The court heard Paterson then placed his hands around his mother’s throat and punched her on the body.

Mr McDonald added: “It was he who actually contacted police, stating his mother threw an ashtray at him.

“He also made reference to being in possession of a hatchet and a sword and that he should chop his mother up into pieces.”

When police arrived at the scene, Paterson answered the door and led them to a bedroom, where an axe and a small knife were found.

Defence solicitor Gordon Ritchie admitted that Paterson’s mum had suffered “an absolutely terrible ordeal.”

He said: “She seems to have forgiven him and is trying to help him as much as she can.”

Sheriff David Pender caged Paterson for 20 months, reduced from 30 months as he admitted his guilt, and backdated the sentence to March, which is when he was first remanded in custody.

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