A van driver who tried to ram a police car during a high speed chase has been slammed for his "shocking" actions.
But William McPhee was spared a prison sentence at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
McPhee, 21, admitted driving dangerously, having taken drugs, driving without a licence, having no insurance and police assault.
The court heard police were called to a disturbance at Cots Castle caravan site, near Stonehouse, at night on June 2.
Jennifer McCabe, prosecuting, said: "Officers saw the accused driving a Ford Transit tipper van away from the caravan site and towards them at excessive speed.
"They pursued the van on to the A71 where it overtook other vehicles, causing oncoming drivers to brake sharply."
The high speed chase continued via Canderside Toll on to Carlisle Road, Larkhall.
McPhee failed to give way at roundabouts and went through several red lights.
Ms McCabe added: "The accused drove on to Ayr Road and slammed on his brakes, hoping the police would collide with the rear of his vehicle.
"This caused the police driver to carry out an emergency stop.
"McPhee then reversed at high speed towards them for about 100 metres, forcing the officer to do likewise.
"The police officers feared this would result in a crash as they were on a dark, country road with sharp bends.
"They could see the accused was deliberately trying to ram their vehicle and they were in a state of fear and alarm."
McPhee headed towards Garrion Bridge where he went the wrong way on the roundabout.
He then sped off towards Rosebank, having switched off his lights.
McPhee and a male passenger abandoned the van in the Popinjay Hotel car park and ran off, but they were caught a short time later.
The fiscal said: "The accused appeared to be under the influence of drugs and became hostile towards the police.
"He spat at one officer, telling him he had COVID-19.
"The spittle didn't make contact and McPhee went on to say he didn't have the virus."
Defence agent Sandy Morrison said McPhee had at the time been estranged from his family, associating with a peer group and taking drugs.
The lawyer pointed out that he has been in custody since his arrest in June and, when released, plans to reunite with his family in Dundee.
Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said it was "a shocking course of conduct", but given the accused's youth and the time he'd spent in prison a non-custodial sentence was appropriate.
McPhee was placed under supervision for a year and ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid community work.
He was also disqualified from driving for 28 months and must resit his test.
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