Cop chase driver is sent to prison

Motorist drove at over 100mph during pursuit

A demon driver who led cops on a high- speed pursuit through Paisley has been jailed for nine months.

Reckless Mohammad Dean, 51, drove at more than 100 mph in his Range Rover 3L estate in a chase that started in Barrhead, went through Glenburn, up over the Gleniffer Braes and down into Ayrshire before cops finally caught up with him.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard that during the terrifying incident Dean drove through on the wrong side of the road, ignored a red traffic signal, overtook motorists at speed, failed to stop at junctions and failed to stop for police patrol cars.

Fiscal depute Mark Nicol told the court: “At 11.55pm on June 13 police were on uniformed mobile patrol in a marked police car at Aurs Road, Barrhead, where they noticed a Ranger Rover vehicle and began to follow the car and indicated for it to stop.

“Having activated their blue lights, they speeded up but the vehicle was not for stopping. It passed through a red light signal and at this time police contacted the control room detailing information in relation to the driver.

“They continued to drive at speed following the vehicle which continued to fail to stop at road junctions.

“This pursuit continued through Barrhead and went into the Glenburn area of Paisley where the vehicle continued to drive at high speed.

“Officers requested the assistance of another police vehicle. The accused’s vehicle continued to drive through the Glenburn area and turned in to Gleniffer Road at a speed of 100mph.”

The court was told Dean, of Dovecothall Street, Barrhead, led cops on a chase over the Gleniffer Braes via Burnhouse, Barrmill, Dalry and Kilwinning before finally giving up at Stevenston.

The fiscal added: “The accused drove with no concern for other road users or pedestrians.

“He drove on the opposite carriageway, failed to adhere to traffic signals, over took other motorists at speed, and failed to stop police vehicles with blue lights activated.”

Dean pled guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

Defence agent Gordon Nicol admitted Dean, who has previous driving convictions was admitting his guilt for a “bad Section Two” dangerous driving offence.

Mr Nicol said: “He cannot recall anything about this. He tells me he was under a great deal of stress over the last few months.

“He says he has lost a number of close family members which has left him feeling extraordinarily low.

“But he is at a loss over what prompted him to drive in this manner.”

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew voiced concern over the danger Dean placed himself and others in, including motorists, pedestrians and police officers, during the chase.

He said: “You are fortunate not to have caused significant injury to members of the public, including pedestrians, motorists and police.

“The pursuit continued both in my jurisdiction and in a neighbouring jurisdiction.

“Why you behaved in that way, I do not know.

“But I do know that you have a dreadful record with five previous convictions for driving while disqualified.

“Here you were driving dangerously, all the while being pursued by several police vehicles.”

The sheriff told Dean there was only suitable disposal and sentenced him to nine months in prison, reduced from 10 months because of his guilty plea.

He was also banned from the road for 22 months and warned he would have to sit and pass the extended test of driving competency before getting behind the wheel again.