A driver high on drink and drugs tried to run down a female police officer in an Angus street, a court has heard.
Kieran Middleton (20), from Arbroath, was sprayed with CS gas by officers attempting to haul him out of a car, after he had raced through residential streets at 80mph.
Appearing from custody before Sheriff Fiona Tait at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday, he was detained for six months and banned for six years following the high-speed pursuit in the early hours of December 18.
Middleton, of St Andrew’s Crescent, admitted driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent at various roads in the town, while disqualified, without insurance and unfit to drive through drink or drugs.
He further admitted driving at grossly excessive speed in icy conditions, driving at 80mph in a 30mph limit, straddling the central line of the road, reversing towards a police officer causing her to take evasive action to avoid being struck, driving without head lamps, narrowly avoiding a collision with four cars and failing to signal at all times.
Depute fiscal Arlene Shaw said: ”It was in the early hours of the morning in dark and damp conditions and the temperature was very low. The owner of the car is a friend of the accused and from 9pm the previous evening, the owner and the accused were together. Throughout this time alcohol was consumed and the accused smoked cannabis.”
Police on patrol in a marked car saw Middleton driving his friend’s car at around 4.50am and immediately became concerned at his behaviour. Despite being signalled to stop, he carried on driving into Cairnie Loan.
Ms Shaw said: ”His speeds were reaching 80mph in a 30mph area and constables continued to follow the vehicle and witnessed it crossing the centre line on a number of occasions.”