Terrified doctor clung to his car as thief sped off
A DOCTOR was left badly hurt after trying to stop a thief from stealing his car.
Andrew Nath, 32, tackled a thug who pretended to be a buyer after the medic put his Volkswagen Golf up for sale.
Michael MacDonald had turned up at Dr Nath’s home in Glasgow’s West End after the car was advertised on Gumtree last June
After a test drive, the 33-year-old thug then sped off as the doctor clung onto the Volkswagen to prevent it being taken.
Dr Nath’s foot got trapped in a door at one point during the terrifying incident. He eventually managed to leap to safety.
Police gave chase but were unable to catch MacDonald.
A judge heard yesterday that the doctor has still has not fully recovered after suffering a fractured collarbone.
The High Court in Glasgow was told how Dr Nath had joined Mac- Donald for a test drive. When this was finished, the doctor stepped out of the car and expected MacDonald to do the same.
But he started the engine again as the medic desperately reached in for the keys.
Prosecutor Duncan McPhie said: ‘He was prevented by MacDonald and a scuffle ensued.’
As the doctor tried to halt MacDonald, he yelled: ‘Somebody help me.’ The thief then drove off – as Dr Nath kept a grip on the steering wheel.
Mr McPhie added: ‘He put his feet on the door frame and held on. A witness made a 999 call.
‘Dr Nath recalls the car driving at speed and that he was shouting at MacDonald to stop.
‘MacDonald drove off. He began to push Dr Nath on the stomach repeatedly, trying to get him out.’
The court heard the thief then ploughed through road barriers and punched his victim in the face to make him let go.
Dr Nath eventually managed to free his foot and jump onto the road. MacDonald drove off at speed. Police were alerted and gave chase.
The court heard that the thief ‘weaved in and out of traffic’ in the city’s Great Western Road.
He also went through red lights and mounted a pavement to get away. Mr McPhie said: ‘Due to road safety concerns, the officers were advised to stand down.’
Dr Nath’s Volkswagen was spotted later that afternoon near MacDonald’s home in Drumchapel, Glasgow.
MacDonald was not traced, however, until a week later at a house in the city’s Govan area. The key for Dr Nath’s car was found in a tenement block there.
The court heard that the victim suffered a fractured collarbone and has been left scarred for life following surgery.
It may be several months before
‘Fractured collarbone’ ‘Ploughed through road barriers’
the doctor recovers from the injury.
MacDonald had faced an attempted murder accusation yesterday but pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of assaulting and robbing the doctor to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment as well as to the danger of life.
He also admitted dangerous driving.
Lady Stacey deferred sentencing for reports.