Car thief chased down by police is sent to jail

CRIME: Fifer was already banned from driving and was found to have cocaine in pocket

A banned driver in a stolen car who led armed police on a midnight pursuit through village streets has been jailed.

Sandy White had been released from a prison sentence only days earlier and had nearly a gramme of cocaine in his trouser pocket at the time of the chase through Markinch, Fife.

White, 34, drove the stolen Golf GT at speed the wrong way down a oneway street, through a red traffic light, and across junctions without stopping before hitting a kerb, losing control and crashing in the incident on Thursday.

Prosecutor Sean Maher said White had visited a woman in her home in Markinch about 9pm on Wednesday evening, and “discussed matters relating to fixing her car” before leaving at approximately 11.45pm saying he was going to get a lift home.

However, he then stole her car without her realising.

Mr Maher said: “Shortly thereafter, at about five past midnight, two police officers patrolling the area in an armed response vehicle noted a vehicle which appeared to be suspiciously parked.”

There was a male – white – in the driving seat, but a vehicle check showed

“When questioned further he said nothing and drove off at speed.

SEAN MAHER

the insured driver was supposed to be a woman. It showed the car had no MoT.

Mr Maher said: “The officers pulled alongside, and the male gave an initial story that this was a friend’s car, but when questioned further he said nothing and drove off at speed.”

Officers put on blue lights and sirens and pursued the Golf, which sped off along Alburne Park, Glenrothes, where it was first spotted, travelling in excess of the speed limit.

It failed to stop at temporary traffic lights which were at red, and turned right on to the B9130, heading back towards Markinch at more than 50mph.

As he turned on to the town’s Kirk Brae he lost control at speed, striking the kerb and damaging the car which he then abandoned.

He tried to flee from the crippled car on foot but was pursued by police and caught “after a short chase”.

Checks revealed he was a disqualified driver. He was searched and two foil wraps of cocaine were found in his front left trouser pocket.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court, White, of Donald Crescent, Thornton, Fife, pled guilty to stealing the car, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and possessing cocaine.

The court heard he had been released from prison the previous Thursday with 100 days of his last sentence still to run.

Sheriff Derek Livingston jailed White for eight months, and also ordered him to serve, consecutive to that, the 100-day unexpired portion of his previous sentence.

He told him he was “fortunate” to have been prosecuted on “summary complaint”, rather than under the more serious “solemn” procedure.