A Dundee man has been jailed for his role in a dramatic high speed police chase which put officers at “considerable danger”.
Brandon Williams was one of three passengers in a Land Rover with stuck-on fake plates that rammed a police car during a winding 30-mile trail through rural Perthshire and Kirriemuir.
Perth Sheriff Court heard how Williams, 22, and fellow backseat passenger Dylan Adams, 18, lobbed missiles – including a stolen car battery and a crowbar – at pursuing officers while they filmed the chase for TikTok on their mobile phones.
The pursuit began on the A93 in east Perthshire and ended about 45 minutes later when a police stinger punctured the Freelander’s tyres on the A928 near Glamis.
Third passenger Kane McDonald, 26, and a fourth man escaped on foot into a field.
McDonald was found hiding behind a trailer at a nearby farmhouse.
The fourth man, who McDonald claimed was the driver, was never traced.
Reckless conduct
Williams and Adams pled guilty to culpably and recklessly throwing items at the police car, to the danger of officers, on December 29, 2020.
All three further admitted a charge of reset in connection with the tractor battery, which was later returned to its owner in Glenshee.
McDonald, of Armor Place Court, Dundee, went on trial last month accused of driving the Land Rover dangerously, at excessive speeds and failing to stop for officers.
He was acquitted after a jury found all charges against him not proven.
The trio returned to Perth Sheriff Court for sentencing on Thursday.
Sheriff William Wood told Williams: “I take into account that at the time of these offences you had a relatively light criminal record, but I understand you have since been convicted of other offences.
“You have been assessed by social workers as suitable for unpaid work and a community-based disposal.
“However, given the gravity of this conduct – which would have put police officers in considerable danger – I am going to impose a custodial sentence.”
Williams, of Helmsdale Place, was sentenced to 46 weeks behind bars.
Sheriff Wood noted that Scaffolder Adams, of Megginch Gardens, was only 16 at the time, and has no criminal history.
He was placed on supervision for a year and ordered to carry out 110 hours of unpaid work.
He must also stay home between 8pm and 7am each day, as part of a 23-week Restriction of Liberty order.
The sheriff told McDonald: “It is perhaps fortunate for you that the only live charge against you is one of reset.
“There is no doubt that you were also involved as a passenger.”
He was ordered to carry out 70 hours unpaid work.
Sheriff Wood added: “This was a very foolish incident and it was very lucky that matters did not turn out more serious.”
‘Wake up call’
The court heard that Williams was left severely injured in a 2020 moped accident and had to relearn how to walk.
Friends and family set up a fundraising appeal to buy him an electric wheelchair.
In May last year, Williams was banned from the road for three years after he admitted driving dangerously during a police chase which ended with him ploughing his car into a footbridge near Drumgeith Park.
Solicitor Larry Flynn, defending, said the crash had been a “significant wake up call”.
In April last year, McDonald was fined and banned from driving for 27 months after he admitted putting youths at risk during a high-speed pursuit through rural Angus.
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