Speeder tried to ram police

A SPEEDING driver in a stolen car tried to ram into police during a “dangerous” high-speed pursuit around Perth.

Officers had to swerve out of the way when Douglas Zdrzalek deliberately motored towards their vehicle, Perth Sheriff Court heard.

The 29-year-old later abandoned the car and fled on foot.

The Ford Kuga had been stolen from a house in Musselburgh nearly five months earlier.

Zdrzalek told investigators he had bought it for £5,000 from “some boy in Aberfeldy”.

Zdrzalek appeared in the dock and admitted dangerous driving on residential streets in the city’s North Muirton area on August 27 2021.

He further admitted driving without insurance or a full licence.

He pled guilty to a charge of resetting a car which had been dishonestly appropriated by theft.

Investigators ran a check on the registration plate and found the car had been reported stolen from Musselburgh on March 25 2021.

CCTV from Bells Sports Centre was used to identify Zdrzalek.

Some time later, on October 14 2021, police officers on routine foot patrol saw their suspect walking towards them.

He was arrested and taken to police HQ for questioning.

Zdrzalek said he had paid £5,000 cash for the car from “some boy in Aberfeldy” but refused to give any more information.

When asked if he had been driving that night, he replied: “Yes, it was me mate.”

Solicitor Bethany Downham said her client had bought the car after seeing it advertised on Facebook.

Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC deferred sentence for reports. Zdrzalek, of St Catherine’s Road, Perth, was meantime banned from driving.

Douglas Zdrzalek.