Freed killer tried to 'lure' boys

The court heard how Gair had drink and drugs problems

A convicted killer who tried to lure two primary school boys to his Glasgow flat has walked free from court.

Despite evidence that 42-year-old Stuart Gair is still considered a risk if left unsupervised, he was placed on probation by Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Gair, who was given a life sentence for a murder in 1989, was freed six years ago pending his appeal.

He was given 12 months probation after admitting a breach of the peace in a Dennistoun park on 4 November.

On Monday, Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Gair approached the boys at a bonfire and suggested they visit his flat so they would have "a quiet place to drink a can of lager".

In my opinion there is no real substantial risk to the public at large John MacAulay Defence lawyer

The court was told Gair, who had drunk alcohol and taken methadone, gave the boys a false name. They began to feel "uncomfortable" when he gave them his address.

He then left and the boys ran home and told their parents.

During police interview, Gair admitted giving the boys lager but claimed it was them who had asked where he lived.

The court was told there was no evidence to suggest there had been a sexual element to the offence.

John MacAulay, defending, said: "The only explanation I have is that it was inappropriate conduct due to the influence of what he had taken that evening, namely alcohol and methadone.

"In my opinion there is no real substantial risk to the public at large."

Murder appeal

The court was told that the social work department had found somewhere for Gair to stay.

Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill said she made the probation order after taking into account Gair's drink and drugs problems and the fact that he had spent the equivalent of 12 months behind bars waiting for the case to go to court.

But she warned Gair that if he breached the order he would be brought back to court.

The court heard that he was assessed as having a high risk of re-offending if unsupervised and a moderate risk if given help with his problems.

Gair was jailed for the murder of Peter Smith in Glasgow city centre in 1989 but has always protested his innocence.

Gair's lawyers will return to court next month to fight his murder conviction.