A lout who led Dundee police on chases through the city twice in a week has been locked up for two years.
Both times, the police pursuits had to abandoned over safety fears as Michael Martin caused vehicles and pedestrians to scramble out of the way.
Martin was brought from HMP Glenochil to Dundee Sheriff Court where he admitted a total of six charges.
First chase
The 37-year-old, of Baffin Street, who is currently serving a prison sentence for shoplifting took police on their first chase on August 18 2022.
Officers spotted him entering Robertson Street behind the wheel, despite his licence having previously been revoked.
He reversed at speed before speeding off from the police.
His journey took him through Lilybank Road, Broughty Ferry Road, the A92 and A930.
He failed to give way, entered the opposing carriageway and overtook a queue of vehicles including a stationary bus.
Other vehicles took evasive action and police abandoned their pursuit over safety fears.
Second pursuit
This was followed up with another “dreadful” display of driving on August 22 – just four days later.
Police spotted Martin and a woman in a car at the Kingsway East Retail Park car park, near B&M and Harry Corry.
Martin took off and police blocked the entrance to the car park with their vehicle.
However, Martin swerved around a trolley bay and mounted the pavement to get past the roadblock.
Two pedestrians had jump out of the way.
He headed down Moffat Road and Milton of Craigie Road North before police again gave up over safety concerns.
Officers later traced and arrested him.
Asda assault
Martin further admitted assaulting Asda security officer Felix Chuku on May 3 2021.
Mr Chuku had watched Martin – who was then on a court order not to enter the Craigie supermarket – on CCTV and stopped him as he tried to leave.
The court heard Martin was placed in a headlock but struggled with him and brandished a glass bottle of vodka over his head.
Police who were already in the store arrested him.
Martin admitted assaulting the Asda employee, driving dangerously and without a licence on August 18 and driving dangerously and failing to stop for police on August 22, all in 2021.
He also admitted missing a court date in September 2022.
Solicitor Sarah Russo said her client had a job in jail and was abstaining from drugs while behind bars.
She said: “Mr Martin is someone who has a long-standing drug addiction difficulty.
“His drug misuse issues have been at the roof of these offences.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed Martin for a total of 24 months, backdated to December 29, and disqualified him for 21 months, after which he must resit the extended test.
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