Man Faces Prison After Hitting Police Officer with Car in Dumfries
A Dumfries man is facing imprisonment after admitting to hitting a police officer with a car in the town last year.
Inspector Jonathan Edgar was thrown into the air after being struck by a vehicle driven by Martin McGroary, 27, on 28 July last year on Herries Avenue in Dumfries.
McGroary pleaded guilty to charges of culpable and reckless conduct causing severe injury. He also admitted to driving without insurance and failing to report the incident.
Sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Cubie. The judge disqualified McGroary from driving and continued his remand in custody.
Incident Details
The court heard that police had been called to the scene due to concerns regarding McGroary, whose brother had recently died in a road traffic accident.
Inspector Edgar had parked the police car close to a police van before McGroary drove slowly between the two vehicles.
Officers believed McGroary was going to exit his car when the door opened; however, after one officer drew a baton, McGroary closed the door again.
Prosecutor David Dickson KC stated:
"McGroary was then seen to unexpectedly accelerate and drive away at excessive speed in the direction of both police vehicles and where Insp Edgar stood beside his vehicle.
"Where he stood placed Insp Edgar close to the centre line of the road."
The space between the two police vehicles was described as "minimal." Inspector Edgar ran toward the pavement in an attempt to avoid being struck.
Mr. Dickson told the court:
"However, the front offside of McGroary's vehicle struck Insp Edgar and threw him into the air.
"The officer travelled approximately 10ft to 15ft and landed on the road."
Inspector Edgar was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder, head and facial injuries, as well as multiple bruises.
The court was informed that he has been unable to return to work since the incident.
Defence Statement
John Scullion KC, representing McGroary, told the court:
"There had been an argument with family members who live on the street about where his brother should be buried.
"This was why Mr McGroary was on the street.
"He was extremely upset by the death of his brother and thereafter by the arguments."
He further explained that McGroary believed he was going to be arrested and drove off as a result.
Mr. Scullion added:
"He thought there was enough room to pass the police on the road which was clearly reckless in that regard which resulted in him striking the inspector."
Sentencing
Sentence was deferred, but the judge indicated that a prison term was "inevitable."
