A killer Royal Navy veteran is back behind bars after bombarding his frail 88-year-old Angus mother with a barrage of offensive phone calls after his drinking spiralled out of control during life licence release.
Convicted murderer Allan Mair is due back before the parole tribunal in June and has been given a two-month sentence after pleading guilty to behaving in a threatening manner between April 18 and 24 this year by repeatedly making phone calls to his OAP mum and brother.
Mair, of Lilybank, Kirriemuir appeared from custody at Forfar sheriff court, which heard that the 58-year-old’s drinking had latterly taken a grip of his life following his release on licence from a 12-year prison term.
He was jailed for life in the summer of 2002 after being convicted by a jury of the killing of Dunfermline man David McKenzie in a brutal knife attack in the victim’s own home, with a judge’s recommendation that Mair should serve a minimum of twelve years.
Solicitor Billy Rennie told the Angus court that for three years since his release Mair had been living a “sensible life” before alcoholism took hold of him again.
He said the accused blamed his drink problems on a “culture of drinking” from 18 years in the navy.
Fiscal depute Stewart Duncan said the accused’s brother had visited their mother after becoming concerned about Mair’s behaviour and while at the house the accused repeatedly called, clearly under the influence.
Police were alerted and a number of messages recorded on the answering machine were played to them.
When arrested, Mair told officers: “I am just so very sorry to my mum, it’s just down to my alcohol problems that I would do that.”
He also pleaded guilty to stealing £59 worth of alcohol from the Co-op in Kirriemuir High Street on April 19, which the court heard Mair had simply taken after being told he would not be served drink.
Solicitor Billy Rennie said: “Some of the messages he left are clearly cries for help and some are mildly threatening.
“He is pleased that he has been recalled to prison, somewhat ironically, because it has got him off the drink and he is now dried out.
“His tribunal hearing is set for June and he is hopeful of being released back into the community.
“The whole background to this is of matters that are very much more serious than what is before the court today.”
Jailing Mair for two months, Sheriff Alison McKay said: “It’s very unfortunate that having been released in 2014 you find yourself back here.
“You are going to be subject to further supervision but I am not prepared to admonish you for an offence against your mother, who is 88-years-old and did not feel safe in her own house.”
Angus-born Mair rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer during his naval career but amassed a criminal record including assault before repeatedly stabbing his victim in the Fife murder, then stealing his wallet.
