Stabbing survivor led police on high-speed street chase

A STABBING survivor who led police on a high-speed chase tried to blame a sinister stalker with a vendetta for his dangerous driving.

Jon Telfer, 21, claimed he panicked after mistaking an unmarked police car for an attacker and sped off through the streets of Cambuslang to shake them.

During his ‘fast and furious’ joyride, the accused raced through red lights and bashed a marked police car out of the way to make his escape.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court last week, his explanation was exposed as a lie when his lawyer conceded that Telfer was already speeding when he first came to the attention of police.

It was around 11.40pm when the plain-clothed officers in an unmarked vehicle observed a Volkswagen Golf driving at high speed. When the car failed to stop at two red lights, the officers called in for back-up and passed on the registration details.

When the marked units appeared with their blue lights and sirens, the accused put pedal to the metal in an attempt to lose the police. During the chase, Telfer became trapped in a car park but he drove straight at the police car and forced his way past. Telfer was eventually lost from sight, but a report was submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Telfer later pleaded guilty to the incident, which took place on January 6. He also admitted driving without insurance.

His lawyer admitted: “It’s as bad as they come.”

The defence agent explained that Telfer and his family had been the subject of threats, which culminated in the accused being repeatedly stabbed in a violent attack. Telfer was said to be left with “serious anxiety” caused by a “serious assault”.

His lawyer initially claimed Telfer mistook the unmarked police car for a potential attacker and took off, but then accepted he was spotted speeding first.

Telfer, of Cumbernauld Road in Stepps, avoided jail and was instead sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 260 hours of unpaid work to be completed within eight months. He was also disqualified from driving for three years and was fined £180 for not having insurance.