Driver jailed for role in police chase after car struck bus stop

Man, 32, also banned from road for 16 months

A dangerous driver who narrowly avoided hitting pedestrians during a high-speed police chase through Dundee has been jailed.

Brian Edwards lost control of his vehicle at a slip road off the Kingsway on to King’s Cross Road as he attempted to evade police during rush hour on February 28.

Other vehicles had to swerve to avoid a crash as the 32-year-old careered through the junction, his car spinning on the wet road surface.

The vehicle then mounted a pavement, went through a bus stop and crashed into some nearby bushes.

Depute fiscal Gavin Burton told Dundee Sheriff Court: “At 5pm police were on mobile patrol when they became aware of a silver Peugeot.

“They carried out checks and saw it had no insurance. The police lost sight of the vehicle but saw it again at Kingsway West retail park.

“As it entered the slip road they activated their lights.

“Due to the wet surface the vehicle lost control at the roundabout, spinning 180 degrees, travelling out of control across the carriageway, across the pedestrian footpath and through the end of a bus stop.”

The court heard Edwards “panicked” when he became aware of the police, as he knew he had no licence or insurance and his reaction was “excessive”.

He suffers from mental health problems and a personality disorder, the court was also told.

Edwards has a criminal history and had previously been unco-operative with the social work department but was said to have improved his attitude.

He pled guilty to driving dangerously and at a grossly excessive speed, driving without a licence and without insurance on February 28 at Kingsway West and King’s Cross Road.

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael admonished him on the latter two charges and jailed him for four months for the dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 16 months.