Dad breached ban to see 'howling' children

A FATHER of four was locked up by police after answering an emotional plea to spend Christmas with his children.

William Potter's ex-partner, Louise Adam, phoned him to say the children were "howling and crying" on Christmas morning because they were missing their father.

Potter, 28, gave in to what his lawyer called "emotional blackmail" and spent Christmas Day with the youngsters.

However, he was on bail and banned from contacting Ms Adam or entering the family home in Livingston, a court heard yesterday.

After the children had gone to bed, an anonymous caller summoned police to the house, claiming there had been a disturbance. Potter was arrested.

Appearing from custody, he pleaded guilty to breaching bail conditions on December 25.

The case was continued until January 6, when he is due to be sentenced for committing a breach of the peace at the same address.

Deferring sentence, Sheriff Douglas Kinloch said the court warned people who deliberately breached bail conditions that they could be remanded in custody.

But he added: "I'm just persuaded, and no more, that you should be released on bail at this stage.

"It seems that you were persuaded to go to the house, and you've been kept in custody for two nights. You've made your situation worse and you'll have to face the consequences."