Kerr accused of home fire threat
Former West Coast superstar Daniel Kerr was locked in a maximum-security jail last night after he was accused of dousing a Glendalough property with petrol and threatening to set it alight.
The incident allegedly came during a furious late night argument with a couple from his neighbourhood.
A shoeless and supporterless Mr Kerr, 31, appeared in a Perth court charged with endangering the life, health or safety of two people, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years jail.
The allegations stemmed from a bizarre incident that began about 11pm when Mr Kerr was let into the Pollard Street home by the pair, who are known to the former Eagle.
For reasons unknown, Mr Kerr is then alleged to have become infuriated, making threats, smashing furniture and splashing petrol around the property.
He was arrested hours later and locked up by WA Police in Northbridge.
He appeared later in Perth Magistrate's Court looking tired and dishevelled in shorts and a black hoodie when his lawyer John Prior said Mr Kerr accepted the charges were serious.
Magistrate Paul Heaney granted him bail under strict conditions, including a $5000 surety, a curfew between 7pm and 7am and promises not to approach the alleged victims or go within 100m of the property in Glendalough or a real estate office in North Beach.
Through his lawyer, Mr Kerr said he was working part-time and could adhere to a curfew.
He was bailed to live at a Wembley property owned by his former wife Natasha Pozo. Mr Kerr split from Ms Pozo this year.
The couple have two young children.
Mr Kerr's parents went to the court after the hearing but left without their son and the Department of Corrective Services confirmed he was going to Hakea Prison and would stay there until his bail conditions were met.
Neighbours in the Glendalough street told of slamming doors, screaming voices and an alarm at 1am.
St John Ambulance confirmed they were called to the address about 1.10am but were not required.
"It all happened pretty quickly, I think, subsequently there were people talking," neighbour C.K. Liyu said. "I think a slamming door actually woke me up and then someone screamed and I realised there was like a beeping sound, I think it was an alarm, and the car drove off."
Another resident said she heard "aggressive" yelling and talking early in the morning and another said she heard people asking if someone was OK.
Another said a car believed to be Mr Kerr's had been seen frequently outside the Pollard Street address over the past month.
Mr Kerr will have to return to court on November 26.
West Coast released a statement saying it was disappointed and saddened by the former midfielder's arrest and it would continue to support him.
"We will continue to support Daniel, who was an outstanding player for this club, to get the help he needs to recover from this situation and to get his life back on track," the club said.
Former Eagles coach John Worsfold told Seven News his immediate reaction was of concern for Mr Kerr, whom he coached for all but one of Mr Kerr's 14-year career at the club.
"Then you wonder whether you can contact him and help him out," Mr Worsfold said.
"There are players that if they don't really commit to anything while they are playing footy and have some idea about a pathway post football, they can feel worthless when they finish playing."
Former teammate Glen Jakovich tweeted: "Sad to see D Kerr struggle with life after footy, hope he learns from this latest issue. Deep down he is a good person!!"
