Dumbarton striker Christian Nade appeared in court today accused of threatening to kidnap an 11-month-old baby and battering his ex-girlfriend.

The Frenchman, who was capped by France at under-21 level, denies assaulting the woman on three separate occasions, even using a toy car as a weapon to beat her with.

He also denies assaulting her dad and leaving him and her mum in a state of fear and alarmed on Mother's Day.

Nade, 33, appered in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court this afternoon and pleaded not guilty to the alleged three-month reign of terror.

He faces six charges, which are all said to have been committed between December 5 last year and March 11 this year, at addresses in Renfrew.

He denies assaulting his exgirlfriend at an address in Kirkaig Avenue, Renfrew, by striking her on the head to her injury on December 5.

A second assault charge alleges he struck her on the head with "a boxed toy car to her injury" at the same address on December 12.

And on February 12 he is accused of assaulting her to her injury at the property by striking her on the head.

He also denies behaving in a threatening or abusive way towards her, placing her in a state of fear and alarm by shouting and swearing at her, acting in an aggressive manner towards her, and threatening to kidnap a child, on various occasions between December 5 and February 2.

He also denies placing her mum and dad in a state of fear and alarm by acting in an aggressive and intimidating manner towards them at a property in Tay Avenue, Renfrew, on Mother's Day.

And he denies a final charge of assaulting her 60-year-old dad to his injury by pushing him in to a high chair, going head-to-head with him, punching him on the head, causing him to hit his head off a window and fall to the ground, and punching and striking him on the head.

Defence solicitor Aimee Doran said: "He tenders pleas of not guilty to all charges on the complaint and seeks bail.

"He is a professional football player and is employed by Dumbarton Football Club."

Sheriff Tom Ward then agreed to release Nade, who has also played for Hearts, Dundee, Raith Rovers, Hamilton Accies, Stranraer and Annan Athletic, on bail with special conditions banning him from approaching or contacting his alleged victims.

As he did so, Sheriff Ward warned him not to breach the special conditions, adding: "If you do that there's a chance you'll be remanded in custody - bear that in mind."

He is due to go on trial in May, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for April.