A PORT man who was freed on bail accused of making chilling threats to murder children and his ex-partner is behind bars – following a fresh charge of threatening to torch a shop worker’s home.

Kevin McIver was allowed his liberty ‘by the narrowest of margins’ last month after prosecutor Lindy Scaife warned: “There is a real fear that he is a danger.” He has now been remanded in custody by the same sheriff who bailed him just 13 days prior to his latest alleged offence.

Accused McIver, 45, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court charged with threatening a member of staff at the Lidl supermarket in Port Glasgow on 30 November.

Prosecutors say he stole a quantity of alcohol from the store in the town’s Newark Street then repeatedly threatened a male worker with violence and told him that he would set fire to his home.

The staff member is said to have been placed in a state of fear and alarm for his safety and the safety of his family.

Depute fiscal Ms Scaife told Sheriff Ian Fleming that she was again opposing bail.

She said: “The accused is a prolific offender who has a wide range of convictions for violence, dishonesty and offending whilst on bail.

“The second reason is that he is currently on bail and the third is the nature of the alleged new offence here.” The Telegraph told last month how McIver is facing a charge of leaving death threat voicemails to his ex.

Prosecutors say that he is heard to tell the woman that he will ‘stab and murder’ her and children in the alleged messages.

Defence lawyer Gerry Keenan called for McIver to be given a further chance by the court.

He said that his client had made arrangements to meet with psychiatric and alcohol counsellors regarding an ‘appropriate treatment plan’.

Mr Keenan — who called for Sheriff Fleming to make an ‘exceptional’ decision to grant bail — added: “He acknowledges and understands the Crown’s opposition to bail.

“He knows he’s up against it, however he won’t get the kind of help in jail that is being offered to him on the outside.” Sheriff Fleming, pictured, said: “The problem is that I granted him bail with some hesitation last month in the face of opposition from the Crown.” He told McIver: “I took an exceptional view in November and I am not prepared to do that again in light of the allegation. Bail is refused.” McIver is due to appear in court again on 16 December and is currently due to stand trial on 22 December.

His trial regarding his alleged murder threat voicemails is scheduled to take place in January.