A former serviceman who joined an outlaw bike gang for the “camaraderie” has been jailed for eight years after attempting to murder another motorcyclist.
Barry Smith, a member of the Satans Slaves, drove his van into a bike being driven by Andrew Lamb, a member of Tribe Motorcycle Club.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the assault took place on 24 July 2021 on the A7 in Selkirk, Scottish Borders.
Smith, from Dunfermline in Fife, was acting as a support driver for a convoy of Satans Slaves as they drove their bikes in their area.
The 42-year-old was supposed to help motorcyclists who injured themselves or who broke down.
However, he rammed his van into Mr Lamb’s bike after a fight broke out between members of the two clubs.
Mr Lamb suffered debilitating injuries and required urgent hospital treatment.
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A passing motorist filmed Smith at the scene in his van.
They captured him wearing a T-shirt that contained the slogan SFFS, which the court heard stood for “Slaves Forever Forever Slaves”.
Smith had denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty after a week-long trial in July.
On Monday, judge Fiona Tait told him: “I have listened to everything that has been said on your behalf this morning.
“However, this was a serious assault which has lasting and significant consequences for the complainer.
“I’m of the view that a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal in this case. You will serve eight years in custody.”
The Satans Slaves Motorcycle Club was founded in Shipley, England, in 1966. It is one of the largest outlaw biker clubs in the UK and has 29 chapters in England, Scotland and Germany.
The jury heard that in the hours before the attack on Mr Lamb, around 125 motorcyclists from across the country had flocked to the area.
An eyewitness said the bikes resembled those that belonged to Hells Angels.
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Smith ‘drove away from the scene’
The court heard that after striking Mr Lamb, Smith didn’t contact emergency services and drove away from the scene.
His vehicle was damaged in the collision and was abandoned further down the road.
He was spotted a short distance from the scene by a member of the Tribe.
He told the motorcyclist to stop in an aggressive manner, but the biker drove away in fear he would be assaulted.
Smith compared his membership of the Satans Slaves to his time in the services.
He said: “For me as an ex-military man, it kept the brotherhood going.”
Defendant maintains innocence
Defence advocate John Brannigan told judge Tait that his client still maintained he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
The lawyer said Smith had spoken to a court-appointed social worker about how he had joined the gang for the “camaraderie”.
He said Smith didn’t have a formal diagnosis but had experienced “symptoms” of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mr Brannigan also asked the court to consider imposing a non-custodial sentence.
He added: “There are a number of protective factors. He comes from a supportive family, has a good work record and apart from his membership of the motorcycle gang has lived a pro-social life.”
However, judge Tait told Smith he’d have to serve jail time for his crime.
She also endorsed his driving licence with 10 penalty points.
