Gang boss gets extra jail time for high-speed cop chase
18-MONTH SENTENCE FOR RICHARDSON
BY GRANT McCABE reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk A JAILED gangster had his sentence increased yesterday after he admitted taking part in a high-speed police chase.
Mark Richardson Jnr raced through built-up city streets in a Mini, weaving in and out of traffic as a helicopter tailed him.
The thug was clocked driving on the wrong side of the road and doing more than 65mph in a 30mph zone in the north of Glasgow.
Richardson – a convicted drug baron – tried to give police the slip by dumping the Mini in Springburn and getting into another car.
But he was quickly snared by officers from the Organised Crime and Terrorism Unit.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Richardson, 31, had 18 months added to his sentence after he admitted culpable and reckless conduct in December 2016.
At the time of the chase, the gangster was wanted on warrant as part of an organised crime investigation.
When he realised he was being followed, it is thought Richardson believed he was being tailed by other underworld figures.
It is believed he had previously been warned his life may be in danger.
At the High Court in Glasgow in December, Richardson was convicted of being part of a major crime mob involved in smuggling cocaine, trafficking weapons, abduction and torture.
In January, the thugs were jailed for a total of 87 years. Richardson was sentenced to eight years and nine months for having a Glock handgun. His sentence for the police chase will run consecutively to that. After yesterday’s hearing, Detective Graeme Naysmith said: “Significant police resources were utilised to apprehend Richardson, who was actively doing all he could to avoid detection.
“His arrest was the culmination of extensive planning and co-operation from a range of Police Scotland departments and I want to thank all of those involved.”