A drug-fuelled driver reversed his girlfriend’s car into a police vehicle after a high-speed chase through Blantyre and Uddingston.
Mel Rae was jailed for 13 months after what even his lawyer admitted was an “outrageous” piece of driving.
Rae, 28, who was supposed to be serving a five-year ban at the time, was also disqualified for a further six years.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard on Friday that, fortunately, no one was injured during the chase.
Rae, a prisoner, admitted driving dangerously while unfit through drugs, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for the police and having no insurance.
Jennifer McLaren, prosecuting, said police officers saw the Citroen being driven at high speed in Glasgow Road, Blantyre, shortly after 4am.
With blue lights flashing and siren blaring, they tried unsuccessfully to stop the vehicle and followed Rae at speed along Blantyre Farm Road to Uddingston’s Kylepark area.
Ms McLaren told the court: “Rae continued to drive at high speed through this residential area.
“He went into Sheepburn Road – a dead end – and collided with a wall.
“Rae then attempted to reverse and struck the police vehicle behind him.
“Officers could see his girlfriend, Clare McKenna, was in the front passenger seat.
“Rae was handcuffed. The pupils of his eyes were dilated and his speech was slurred.
“He gave a roadside breath sample that provided a zero reading for alcohol.
“He was then examined by a doctor at Motherwell police station who concluded he was under the influence of drugs and unfit to drive a vehicle.”
Defence agent Ali Murray said Rae “panicked” when he saw the police because – being a disqualified driver – he knew he’d be in trouble.
Mr Murray added: “He drove in a wholly outrageous manner and apologises for that.
“He realises he placed the good people of Blantyre and Uddingston in a dangerous situation by his driving.”
Sheriff Shiona Waldron said Rae’s record for road traffic offences was “very serious”.
He has previous convictions for dangerous and careless driving and two convictions for driving while disqualified.
The sheriff told him: “It’s time you woke up and realised what the future holds if you don’t choose to change your ways.”
Rae’s sentence was backdated to June 4 as he has been in custody since then.
He was ordered to resit his driving test.
