Perth man attacked pub-goer he suspected of drink-driving

A vigilante broke the cheekbone of a pub-goer because he suspected he had been drink-driving.

Neil Payne, 24, attacked John Geraghty after following his car to Dunning.

The landscape gardener was said to be “furious” at witnessing the 68-year-old behind the wheel as he had earlier heard the landlord of a pub telling him not to drive.

Payne aimed a single punch at the pensioner, which broke a facial bone. He also admitted breaking the rear light of Mr Geraghty’s car.

At Perth Sheriff Court, on Monday, Payne pleaded guilty to the incident on August 11. Solicitor Rosie Scott, defending, said Payne was “ashamed” of his actions.

She said that after witnessing a warning made to Mr Geraghty by a pub landlord, asking him not to drive, Payne later saw the complainer behind the wheel and decided to “take the law into his own hands”.

He accepted that he should have used his phone to call the police, she said.

Sheriff Richard McFarlane deferred sentence on Payne, of Steeple View, Perth Road, Perth, until September 11.