A serial car thief has been jailed after leading police on a dangerous chase through Aberdeen streets which only ended when he crashed into a bollard.
Declan Salmond sped off into the darkness with no lights on when officers approached the stolen Volkswagen Tiguan he was driving after 3am on Ballock Way, Aberdeen.
He was initially lost to view, but police later spotted him on Stoneywood Road and a pursuit was declared, reaching 50mph in a 30mph zone.
Eventually, Salmond, who has seven previous convictions for theft of vehicles and half a dozen for dangerous driving, crashed into a bollard and fled the scene on foot.
Fiscal depute Dylan Middleton told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “At about 3.10am on February 13, police constables were travelling on Ballock Way, Aberdeen, when they observed a grey Volkswagen Tiguan stationary within the street, in circumstances believed to be suspicious.”
However, when police turned around to stop the car, Salmond drove off “switching the headlights off in the process, causing the vehicle to be temporarily lost to view”.
‘Incoherent due to his level of intoxication’
A short time later the vehicle was spotted again on Stoneywood Road.
Mr Middleton said: “The emergency equipment of the police vehicle was activated and the accused failed to stop, accelerating away at speed up to approximately 50mph.
“The accused’s driving was dangerous and erratic, negotiating turns at excessive speed.
“A short pursuit ensued with the accused continuing on the A947 Stoneywood Road, where he continued to drive in the manner described before the vehicle collided with a concrete roadside bollard on Bankhead Road at its junction with Station Road.”
The collision brought the vehicle to a stop across the carriageway with “significant” damage.
The key was found “discarded” on the pavement.
Mr Middleton said: “The accused alighted from the vehicle and made off through the ground of Bankhead Road Hindu temple before being lost to sight.
“An extensive search was made but the accused was untraced at that time.”
At 4.20am the same day, Salmond was seen by a witness at an address on Bankhead Road with “various injuries” and no shoes.
‘He really regrets these offences’
Salmond “spoke however was incoherent due to his level of intoxication”.
The witness told Salmond police were there in relation to a crash and he replied “that was me” before leaving in a taxi.
Inquiries established that the Volkswagen had been stolen from Pitmedden Mews.
Salmond was traced around 5am “hiding” at an address on McIntosh Crescent.
Salmond, a prisoner of HMP Grampian, pled guilty to theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance, and breaching a bail curfew.
Defence agent James Stewart said his client had moved to Aberdeen in 2021 to “get away from negative peers he was in the company of in Edinburgh”.
‘You’ve got a terrible record’
He said Salmond made “significant changes” to his life and managed to secure employment for the first time.
The solicitor added: “He really regrets the commission of these offences. He has had the time to reflect on his actions.
“He’s shown a level of maturity in that he understands the consequences of his actions and the danger he posed to other road users and members of the public.
“He doesn’t try to justify or minimise his behaviour.”
Mr Stewart said his client “clearly was intoxicated” and described his “problematic use of street valium”.
Sheriff Ian Wallace told Salmond: “You’ve got a terrible record for this kind of driving offence.”
He ordered Salmond to be jailed for 27 months and banned from driving for three years and 140 days.
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