An Aberdeen danger-driver has been jailed after he reversed his car into a police officer following a high-speed chase.
Charlie Deans, 25, crushed Sergeant Graeme Smith against a police Land Rover, causing him crippling injuries, the High Court in Aberdeen heard today.
The court was told Deans’ uninsured Ford Fiesta hit speeds of 90mph during the pursuit, which started outside the Fountain Bar in Tillydrone and ended more than seven miles away in Blackburn.
Police officers eventually brought the car to a halt by deploying a Stinger device to puncture its tyres.
But advocate depute Gavin Dewar said in a last-gasp effort to get away Deans, who works as a joiner and labourer, threw his car into reverse and pinned Sgt Smith between the two vehicles.
Mr Dewar said the pursuit started after two police officers noticed the uninsured vehicle on Donbank Terrace at about 3.20am on September 22 2019.
Deans, who had two passengers in the car with him, took off at speed towards St Machar Driver and police gave chase.
Mr Dewar said: “The Fiesta took the second exit at St Machar roundabout and headed east on St Machar Drive at between 60mph and 80mph. St Machar Drive has a speed limit of 30mph.”
The chase continued along King Street, with Deans hitting speeds of 80mph.
“The Fiesta approached the traffic light-controlled junction of King Street and Don Street, where the officers observed that the lights were at red,” Mr Dewar said.
“The accused overtook two stationary vehicles waiting there on the opposing carriageway and drove through the red light at high speed onto Ellon Road.
“The officers continued to chase the Fiesta onto Balgownie Road and thereafter onto Scotstown Road, travelling at speeds of between 70mph and 80mph.”
Chase moves onto rural roads
The Fiesta then travelled along the B997 towards Bridge of Don, hitting 90mph as it raced through Drumligair and Blackbraes, eventually reaching Oldmeldrum Road and was lost to the officer’s view.
The vehicle was next spotted on an unclassified road between Hillbrae Way and Parkhill towards Newmachar at around 3.42am by Inspector Christopher Kerr and Sgt Smith.
They activated the blue lights on their Land Rover Discovery and gave chase.
Unknown to Deans, police had laid down the Stinger device on the road up ahead, near Hatton of Fintray, and at least two of his tyres were punctured as he drove across it and continued in the direction of Blackburn.
By now the Fiesta’s speed had reduced to around 30mph, so police carried out a manoeuvre to bring the chase to a halt.
Pc Aaron White, in a marked police BMW, overtook the Fiesta and began to decelerate while Insp Kerr’s Land Rover remained behind it.
Mr Dewar said: “The Fiesta struck the back of the BMW as Constable White continued to slow the vehicles down. Constable White brought the BMW to a complete halt which caused the accused to stop the Fiesta. Inspector Kerr positioned the Land Rover diagonally behind the Fiesta to try to prevent the accused driving off.
The route of the car chase
“Sgt Smith exited the nearside passenger side of the Land Rover and approached the driver’s door of the Fiesta to effect an arrest.
“Before Sgt Smith reached the door, the accused reversed the Fiesta, striking Sgt Smith with the front offside wing and wing mirror, forcing him backwards and crushing him against the Land Rover.
“Graeme Smith began screaming in agony.”
Deans drove off again but didn’t make it far before the vehicle – which by this point had no working tyres – came to a complete stop. He, along with his passengers, were arrested.
Mr Dewar said Mr Smith suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident.
He said: “Graeme Smith’s victim impact statement is in clear terms. Upon being x-rayed, he was found to have sustained multiple pelvic fractures.
“He continues to suffer from chronic pain. He has required adjustments to his home.”
Deans, of Newton Road, Aberdeen, was originally facing an attempted murder charge but today pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and striking the officer to the danger of his life. He also admitted driving without insurance.
Defence counsel Bill Adam urged Judge Graham Buchanan to allow bail to continue on his client until sentencing next month, adding: “He has shown he can be trusted on bail.”
However, Judge Buchanan rejected his plea and remanded Deans in custody due to the seriousness of the offence.
He said: “I think because of the very high level of culpability on the part of the accused and because of the high degree of harm caused to Sgt Smith this is right up at the very top bracket as far as offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving go, which means a substantial custodial sentence is inevitable.
“There’s not much point in continuing bail – he might as well get on and start serving his sentence today.”
Following the hearing, Chief Inspector Andy Barclay said: “We welcome the plea and conviction from Charlie Deans.
“His actions that night were extremely reckless and resulted in the injury of one of our officers.
“The incident could easily have had far more serious consequences.
“The chief constable has made it clear that aggressive or threatening behaviour against Police Scotland personnel is simply not part of the job and has promised to provide improved safety and welfare support.
“We hope this conviction acts as a warning to others.”
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