Horror crash case adjourned as war veteran accused goes AWOL

Oct 3 2008 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A SECOND World War veteran whose error of judgement almost resulted in disaster on the A9 near Perth was posted missing in court this week.

Methven resident Graham Davies (86) had been due to appear for sentencing at Perth Sheriff Court on Tuesday, after admitting he was responsible for a smash on the notorious dual carriageway last May 19.

Although he failed to turn up, his solicitor was present to hear Sheriff Robert McCreadie adjourn the case for a second time to enable the pensioner to hear his fate.

The accused, who has a 65-year unblemished driving record, was previously due to be sentenced on September 16, but information the Crown had been asked to provide was unavailable.

On Tuesday, defence agent David Holmes said the incident’s exact circumstances still needed to be clarified, and agreed Davies should have been in court.

“I didn’t think what we had would be sufficient information for you,” the solicitor told Sheriff McCreadie.

“The information wasn’t obtained in the manner it had been called for in advance.

“However, there’s no reason why my client should not be here if he is fit and active.”

Davies, of Drumgrain Avenue, Methven, collided with a BMW car being driven eastwards by David Robertson as he attempted to cross the Stirling to Perth A9 from an unclassified road leading to Tibbermore.

When police took a statement from the accused he admitted he had failed to observe Mr Robertson’s vehicle, which had just overtaken a white van, at around 2.15pm on May 19.

Sheriff McCreadie rearranged sentencing for October 13 so that the war veteran can appear in person.