Well-known Hamilton musician in the dock after another driving offence

Paul Carroll was slurring his words and smelling strongly of alcohol when police stopped his car, but he refused to be breathalysed.

The 52-year-old appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court yesterday (Thursday). He admitted driving while disqualified and failing to take a breath test on October 14 last year.

Carroll, of The Furlongs, Hamilton, runs his own company, providing music at church services, corporate events and private functions. He has also worked in schools.

His website states that, after graduating aged 21, he became the youngest resident pianist at five-star Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire.

Carroll hit the headlines in October 2023 when his performance of the 'Friends' TV theme at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery to mark the death of actor Matthew Perry went viral.

The website describes him as "incredibly" talented and "one of the busiest and most sought-after performers in the UK".

Jack Muir, prosecuting, told the court police officers stopped Carroll's vehicle in Muir Street, Hamilton, around 8.40pm.

Mr Muir said: "They had knowledge that he was a disqualified driver.

"On speaking to him, officers noted his speech was slurred and there was a strong smell of alcohol from his breath.

"He refused to provide a sample of breath and offered no explanation for that. He was arrested and conveyed to Coatbridge police station where he again refused to provide a sample of breath."

Defence lawyer Ian McClelland said Carroll was "ashamed" of his behaviour and realised he was "on the precipice of a custodial sentence" because of his previous convictions for similar offences.

Mr McClelland stated: "He has been struggling with mental health issues and has the support of a community psychiatric nurse.

"He has built up a company and plays at funerals and weddings on an almost daily basis.

"There is a focus for supervision as an alternative to custody and he is fit to do unpaid work."

Sheriff Liam Murphy told Carroll: "These offences are serious, more so because you have previous convictions.

"But, having heard from Mr McClelland and given what's in the criminal justice social work report, I'm satisfied there is an alternative to custody."

Carroll was placed under social work supervision for 12 months and ordered to do 225 hours of unpaid community work.

The sheriff banned him from driving for three years.