A drug dealer who led police on a high speed chase through Dundee before crashing into a parked car has been sent to prison for two years.
Steven Whyte was pursued by police because two officers on mobile patrol spotted him running a red light in his Ford Focus.
He then drove at excessive speed as they activated blue lights and pursued him around the city for several minutes.
Whyte drove through more red lights and ignored stop signs, forcing numerous other drivers to swerve to avoid being struck by his vehicle.
He also careered across roundabouts and mounted a grassy central reservation before eventually smashing into a parked Vauxhall Corsa.
Whyte, 30, fled from the car and ran through more than a dozen gardens, before he was eventually apprehended by officers.
He was found to have dilated pupils and glazed eyes and a quantity of cocaine was found in wraps hidden in the driver’s footwell of his car.
Officers sought to carry out a blood test but Whyte refused and told them he had a fear of needles.
They pointed out that he had a number of tattoos.
Police chase
Whyte, from Dundee, admitted driving dangerously in the city on January 10 this year and failing to provide a blood sample when he was suspected to be under the influence of drugs at the wheel.
He also admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Fiscal depute Gavin Burton told Dundee Sheriff Court: “Police were on mobile patrol in Main Street when they observed the Focus driven by the accused travel through a red light.
“They made up ground on the vehicle and activated their blue lights.
“He accelerated aggressively and drove off at excessive speed.
“He continued at high speed, overtaking numerous vehicles and driving in the opposing lane and causing other drivers to take evasive action.
“He undertook a vehicle and continued to drive in excess of the speed limit.
“He failed to slow at red lights.
“He failed to comply with stop signs.
“He mounted a grass reservation and collided with a Corsa.”
‘Fear of needles’
Mr Burton continued: “He got out and ran into a back garden at 30 Haldane Terrace.
“He was caught at number 58.
“He stated there were drugs in the vehicle.
“He later refused to give a sample of blood.
“He stated he had a fear of needles but it was pointed out that he had several tattoos.”
Mr Burton told the court the total quantity of cocaine recovered from Whyte had a maximum potential street value of £8,200.
More than £2,500 IN cash was also recovered.
Sheriff George Way jailed Whyte and also banned him from driving for three years.
He said: “A drug debt is acquired and I fully accept pressure is brought to bear on people if they don’t discharge their debt.
“The problem is it is all part of the cycle of people being concerned in the supply of drugs.”
