Drug courier drove at unmarked police cars during bust leaving officer 'badly injured'

A drug courier left a police officer badly hurt after escaping during a heroin bust.

Frank Donaghy was stopped on April 9 last year after parking his Vauxhall Corsa in a housing estate in Drumchapel, Glasgow.

Police tried to “box in” the 49-year-old with their vehicles to stop him from getting away while one detective got out of her car to approach Donaghy.

DC Lyn Stewart stayed in her Skoda police vehicle.

Prosecutor Imran Bashir told the High Court in Glasgow: “Donaghy immediately attempted to escape by driving forward and reversing onto the pavement.

“This was to give him an opportunity to drive at DC Stewart’s car with enough speed to knock it out of his way.”

Donaghy repeatedly smacked into both cars. Mr Bashir said DC Stewart suffered “multiple injuries”.

Donaghy then mounted the pavement, leaving officers on the street having to dodge being hit.

Donaghy managed to burst out of the blockade and raced from the scene.

At one point, he sped off with passing police, having to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision.

Donaghy went on to hurl a number of packages of heroin into Colquhoun Park in Bearsden before again driving off.

He eventually stopped in Maryhill, Glasgow, and was arrested by the police.

Donaghy claimed: “Someone just tried to do me in.”

The drugs were found, and the court heard they had a potential value of around £86,000.

DC Stewart suffered significant whiplash, an arm injury and back pain after what happened.

She was off work for a number of weeks. The detective also needs a hearing aid after an issue with her ear.

The officer is due to have a psychological assessment for PTSD.

Donaghy, of the city’s Knightswood, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin as well as a charge of dangerous driving.

The court heard Donaghy fled that day having initially believed he was being targeted by other criminals.

Graeme Brown, defending, said: “He thought his vehicle was under attack.”

He already had a previous drug conviction, and his role that day had been to “convey” the heroin from one place to another.

Lord Arthurson jailed Donaghy for a total of 45 months.

He was also banned from driving for six years and nine months.

Detective Superintendent Steven Elliot said: “Donaghy was willing to endanger police officers and the public to escape justice and he now faces the consequences. This sentencing also highlights our ongoing commitment to disrupting the illegal and harmful supply of illegal drugs in our communities.

“There is no place for this type of criminality and such operations underline our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Information from the public is absolutely crucial to our work. We would continue to urge anyone with knowledge or concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”