A FATHER who offered his wife a gun so she could "blow her head off" during a supervised visit with his children has been remanded in custody awaiting sentence.
James Apps, who is in the process of going through a divorce with his wife Claire Apps, was at a scheduled appointment to visit his two daughters, aged 23 months and 13 months, when he became aggressive and argumentative.
The 35-year-old said to his wife: "I have got a gun that you can borrow so that you can blow your head off."
He then said if his children were not removed from his wife's care he would forcefully remove them himself.
Also present during Apps' visit on Monday, January 14, were a social worker and a health visitor.
Gemma Goode, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates' Court, said the police later obtained a warrant to search his house in Spring Lane, Ronkswood, Worcester.
She said: "No firearms were found at the defendant's address. When he knew that the police wanted to speak to him he voluntarily attended the police station."
Apps appeared at court on Monday and admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment alarm or distress.
Susie Duncan, defending, said: "It was a pressurised situation. He became agitated and lost his self control.
"In frustration and anger he made this throwaway comment. It was a comment without any substance.
"He would maintain it was a stupid comment. It was said infront of everyone, which perhaps gives an indication of the stress he was under."
Magistrates refused to grant Apps bail and instead remanded him in custody until Monday, February 11, when he will reappear in court for sentencing.
Magistrates ordered an all-options pre-sentence report to be prepared for that date.
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