Banned driver over drink limit on A9

Previously jailed for serious attack on soldier

A banned driver was almost four times the drink limit on the A9 on New Year’s Day.

Thirty-year-old Sean Blair, who was jailed for four-anda-half years in 2013 for a potentially fatal attack on a soldier, was granted bail at Perth Sheriff Court while a background report is prepared.

His lawyer said that would give him time to get his affairs in order as he expected a jail sentence, given his previous convictions.

Blair, of Campsie Road, Perth, admitted driving at Windyedge on January 1 with 74 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath. The maximum allowed is 22.

That was his third conviction for driving with excess alcohol in his system.

He also drove while disqualified for three years and had no insurance for the car.

A not guilty plea was accepted to taking and driving the vehicle away.

A solicitor for the accused asked for bail, saying: “He’s very keen to get his affairs in order, knowing the likely outcome of this matter.”

Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence until January 31 and called for a background report.

He added: “Clearly you have a rather noteworthy schedule of previous convictions and the likely outcome of this matter is a custodial sentence.

“Standing your family circumstances, I’m prepared to admit you to bail to get your affairs in order.”

The court was told that Blair is the sole breadwinner for his family.

Blair and his younger brother Gavin were both given four-and-a-half-year sentences at the High Court in 2013 after attacking a squaddie in a hostel in the capital and trying to choke him with a belt.

They were both ordered to be supervised for two years following their release.

The court was told that after the drink-fuelled assault on 23-year-old Lee Clark they abandoned their unconscious victim and went to a nightclub.

Mr Clark had been attacked after he complained one of the pair was being “inappropriate” with his girlfriend.

The brothers admitted assaulting Mr Clark to his severe injury and to the danger of his life.

The pair had originally faced a charge of attempted murder.

Both accused kicked and stamped on the victim’s head and body. He was later discovered unconscious with boot marks across his face and neck.

The victim suffered a perforated eardrum in the attack.

Sean Blair was banned from the road for three years at Hamilton Sheriff Court in 2015 for drink driving. He was banned for a similar offence in 2007.

The likely outcome of this matter is a custodial sentence