Two police officers had to leap to safety as a disqualified driver sped off from the scene of a disturbance in Larkhall.
Paul MacDonald was jailed for two years on Friday for what a sheriff branded “appalling” driving.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard he was caught after crashing into a bollard.
MacDonald, 43, of Craigbank Street, Larkhall, admitted driving dangerously while disqualified in Glen Avenue and other streets in the early hours of April 12.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said PCs Craig Whyte and Caitlin Butcher approached the car, but were forced to jump clear when it accelerated away.
Mr Thomson told the court: “MacDonald drove off through the residential area, pursued at a distance by the police.
“While driving at speed, he was seen to mount the footpath and come perilously close to colliding with unattended parked vehicles.
“He then drove on to a grass area near Riverside Road, still traveling at speed until he struck a bollard.
“There was then a short foot chase before he was arrested.”
Police checks revealed MacDonald had been banned from driving for life for previous offences.
Defence agent Stephen MacBride accepted that jail was inevitable, but pointed out that the streets were almost deserted when the chase took place.
He said MacDonald had responded to a call from the “distressed” ex-partner of his brother who had told him that men were acting suspiciously outside her home.
Mr MacBride stated: “Foolishly, he jumped into his brother’s car and went to Glen Avenue.
“He became aware of a police presence there and, as a disqualified driver, he panicked and drove away.
“My client had stayed out of trouble since 2013, leading a sensible and mature existence.
“He was self-employed, but his business was affected by Covid-19.”
Sheriff Colin Dunipace jailed MacDonald for two years, reduced from three years because of his guilty pleas.
He told the accused: “This was an appalling piece of driving.”
The sentence was backdated to July 28 as MacDonald has been in custody since then.
