A father who admitted severely injuring a police officer by hitting him with a car while driving recklessly has been jailed for more than four years.
Inspector Jonathan Edgar, of Police Scotland, was thrown across the road after he was struck by the vehicle driven by Martin McGroary in Dumfries on July 28 last year.
The officer was left with a dislocated shoulder and head and facial injuries and has been unable to return to work.
McGroary, 27, admitted driving in a “culpable and reckless manner” and at “excessive speed” and driving knowing that Mr Edgar was on the road before the collision on Herries Avenue when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow last month.
He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop and give his details after the collision and to driving without insurance.
He was jailed for four years and three months when he returned to the court for sentencing on Thursday, and was disqualified from driving for seven years.
Sentencing him, Lord Cubie said: “You pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct.
“You are accepting a high degree of recklessness and acting with utter disregard for the consequences of your conduct.
“I accept it was not your intention to endanger Inspector Edgar. I accept it was a single act of recklessness where you tried to escape from the scene and you hit Inspector Edgar.
“He sustained severe injuries and has been left with the possibility of having to give up his career.”
At the hearing last month, the court was told police were called to the street shortly after midnight on July 28 by a resident who was concerned about the presence of McGroary, whose brother had recently died in a road crash.
McGroary joined the hearing virtually on Thursday.
Lord Cubie told him: “I recognise the tragic loss of your brother could have affected your thoughts and actions that day.”
At the previous hearing, Solicitor Advocate David Dickson KC, prosecuting, told the court that once police arrived, McGroary drove past Mr Edgar, one of the officers present, and “was heard to say something like what the f*** is this all about”.
He then continued driving towards the house before turning the car.
Mr Dickson said officers then became “concerned” that McGroary was going to get out of the car as it was the third time he had driven up and down the street.
The prosecutor said: “The accused closed the driver door and was then seen accelerating, driving towards both police vehicles and where Inspector Edgar stood beside the vehicle.
“In an effort to avoid being struck, he began to run across the road towards the pavement.”
Mr Dickson told the court that, despite his efforts, the policeman was struck by the car and was thrown about 10-15ft across the road.
He was taken to hospital where he was treated for a dislocated shoulder and head and facial injuries and was discharged about 48 hours later.
John Scullion KC, defending, said on Thursday that McGroary, who is married and has four children, regrets what happened.
He said: “The incident giving rise to the charge took place at a particularly distressing time in his life.
“In my submission it’s clear he accepts full responsibility for his actions. He displays remorse in relation to his behaviour and the injuries sustained by Mr Edgar.”
Police previously welcomed the outcome of the hearing last month.
Detective Inspector Scott Wilson said: “This was a terrifying incident for the officer involved, who was left with serious injuries as a result of McGroary’s actions.
“I hope this conviction brings some comfort to the officer and his colleagues and sends a message that this type of violent behaviour against police officers and staff will not be tolerated.”
Chief Inspector Emma Dodds said: “Every officer has the fundamental right to come home from each shift unharmed. This type of incident shows the unpredictable and dangerous situations police officers can face, while doing their utmost to keep people safe.”
