St Mirren have terminated Kevin Van Veen’s loan agreement after he appeared in court facing domestic abuse charges.
The club issued a short statement on Tuesday night confirming the 33-year-old striker was no longer with the club. He has now returned to parent club FC Groningen who are currently fourth-bottom of the Dutch Eredivisie.
Last Thursday, he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court accused of a three-year campaign of abuse against a woman. He allegedly assaulted the female and acted in a controlling manner towards her.
It’s alleged he conducted a course of abusive behaviour towards the woman at addresses in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and South Lanarkshire, as well as at a resort in Cancun, Mexico, between September 2021 and July this year.
Allegations include that he shoved her out of a bed while she was pregnant. On another occasion, Van Veen allegedly grabbed and twisted her body to her injury. He’s also accused of striking her on the body with his hand.
It’s further alleged that he forced her to stand naked during arguments and pulled down her clothing and underwear without her consent.
Van Veen, whose address was given as Govan, Glasgow, is further accused of shouting abuse and threats, limiting the woman’s contact with family and friends, controlling what she wore, making false claims about her and monitoring her phone and social media activity.
It’s also alleged he locked her repeatedly in his home, phoned and texted her when she didn’t want contact and turned up uninvited at both her home and a relative’s home. The case was continued without plea until next month.
Sheriff Michael Higgins placed him on bail with special conditions not to contact the woman or attend at her home.
Last Friday morning, the Buddies announced that Van Veen would not be available for the club’s Premiership game with Ross County the next day – which ended in a 0-0 draw.
The Dutch forward played five times for Saints with three substitute appearances followed by two starts against Dundee United and Hearts.
He failed to score a goal and struggled to make an impact after a difficult loan at Premiership rivals Kilmarnock during the second half of last season.
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