Two men have been jailed for stealing a lorry from a Milnathort building supplier before ditching it in Dundee.
Gary and Thomas Cummings took the Izuzu vehicle on Wednesday from Webster’s Building Supplies, sparking a police hunt which only ended when Gary Cummings deliberately crashed the vehicle into a police car.
The men appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court on Thursday.
Gary Cummings, 24, of Gleneagles Drive, Dundee, admitted at Claverhouse Road, Dundee, he drove while unfit through drink or drugs.
He also admitted at Claverhouse Road failing to stop when instructed to do so by a police officer, driving dangerously and striking a kerb, swerving into the opposing carriageway, causing other vehicles to take evasive action and intentionally driving into a police car, causing damage to both vehicles.
Both he and Thomas Cummings, 27, of Low Street, Perth, admitted taking and driving the lorry at Webster’s Building Supplies, Stirling Road, Milnathort, and running from the stolen vehicle while being pursued by police officers, perverting the course of justice at Claverhouse Road, Dundee.
Depute fiscal Beverley Adam told the court an employee of the building supplies company had left the keys in the ignition and the engine running to warm it up in the morning.
She said: “Another employee thought they saw someone acting suspiciously and went to speak to the driver who then saw it being driven off.”
The police were informed and just after 1pm police officers noticed the vehicle.
They activated sirens and attempted to catch up with the lorry which instead of stopping increased its speed to 50 miles per hour.
Ms Adam said: “As it passed a junction it struck a kerb and swerved into the eastbound lane.”
When the officers caught up the lorry collided with the police car “causing slight damage to the lorry and police car.”
The pair ran off but were caught by officers.
“It became clear the first accused was under the influence of something,” Ms Adam said. “He smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred.
“Gary Cummings was slumped in the back of the police vehicle and was clearly struggling to keep his eyes open.
“He was asked if he had taken anything. He said he had a tenner bag about one or two hours ago.”
When interviewed, Gary Cummings admitted to taking the vehicle but could not remember where he had taken it from.
Scott Norrie, defending Gary Cummings, said he had an unenviable record.
“His difficulty from a young age has been drug addiction,” Mr Norrie said. “He had an unexpired portion and he has fallen back into his old ways.”
Mr Norrie said his client was at the age where it was “make or break.”
Thomas Cummings’ solicitor Anika Jethwa said that while her client was the older of the pair he was very much the junior partner in the offence.
She said: “He advises me he had taken drink. He is someone born with foetal alcohol syndrome and when he drinks it affects him more than other people.
Sheriff Kenneth McGowan returned Gary Cummings to prison for two months for the unexpired portion and sentenced him to a further eight months, endorsed his licence and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a licence.
He admonished him on the charge of failing to stop when instructed to do so.
Thomas Cummings was returned to prison for 26 days and sentenced to a further six months.