A FORMER serviceman who joined an outlaw bike gang for the “camaraderie” has been given eight years for attempting to murder another motorcyclist.

Barry Smith – a member of the Satans Slaves – drove his van into a motorcycle being driven by Andrew Lamb, a member of the Tribe Motorcycle Club.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the assault took place on July 24, 2021, on the A7 road close to the junction of the A699 road at Selkirk.

Smith, of Dunfermline, 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.

But the court heard how Smith used his van to carry out an assault on Mr Lamb which left him needing urgent hospital treatment.

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Moments earlier, shocked eyewitnesses saw members of the Slaves fight with Tribe MCC members on the road.

Smith then drove his vehicle into Mr Lamb’s bike causing him to suffer debilitating injuries.

A passing motorist filmed Smith at the scene in his van.

They captured him while he wore a T-shirt which contained the slogan SFFS – which the court heard stood for “Slaves Forever Forever Slaves”.

On Monday morning, Smith, who denied any wrongdoing during a week-long trial last month, held his head in his hands after judge Fiona Tait told him he would be jailed for the attack. She also endorsed his driving licence with 10 penalty points.

Judge Tait said: “I have listened to everything that has been said on your behalf this morning.

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“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 United Kingdom and has 29 chapters in England, Scotland and Germany.

An eyewitness said the bikes being driven by the motorcyclists resembled those belonging to Hells Angels.

The court heard that after striking Mr Lamb, Smith did not contact emergency services and drove away from the scene. His vehicle was damaged from the collision and it 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.

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But the court heard that the biker was concerned that he would be assaulted and drove away.

Smith denied any wrongdoing. He 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.”

On Monday, defence advocate John Brannigan told judge Tait that his client still maintained he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

The lawyer said that Smith had spoken to a court-appointed social worker about how he had joined the gang for the “camaraderie”.

He said that Smith did not have a formal diagnosis but had experienced “symptoms” of post-traumatic stress disorder.

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.”