Drug dealer mowed down police officer in attempted murder

A drug dealer has been convicted of mowing down a police officer in a murder bid.

Zeng Xing Yu, 49, ploughed into PC Neil Kerr, 37, on Devonshire Gardens Lane next to the upmarket Hotel Du Vin in Glasgow’s Hyndland on July 21, 2020.

Mobile phone footage caught Yu – whose real name is Wenjie Yu – driving at PC Kerr as he and colleagues swooped on a cannabis deal.

PC Kerr told a jury that he “thought he was going to die” as he was “propelled into the air.”

Yu was found guilty at the High Court in Paisley to attempting to murder PC Kerr.

He lodged a special defence of self-defence claiming he believed he was under the attack of armed men.

Yu was also convicted of resisting and obstructing other officers in the lane.

Co-accused Wang Wen, 30, pled guilty mid-trial to being concerned in the supply of cannabis on the same day, while Yu was convicted of the same charge by the jury.

The court heard plain clothed officers in three unmarked police cars were in the area based on intelligence that a “drugs transaction” was taking place.

PC Kerr and colleague Rachel Walls, 30, attended the scene.

PC Walls left PC Kerr to get a better vantage point from the nearby hotel.

Meanwhile PC Kerr boxed in a Mercedes driven by Yu on Devonshire Garden Lane.

He exited the police car while two colleagues approached Yu’s driver’s side stating that they were officers and ordered him to get out of the motor.

PC Kerr stopped in front of Yu’s Mercedes when it suddenly “came towards” him.

Prosecutor John McElroy asked what happened next.

Recalling the incident, PC Kerr said: “I managed to get a slight jump on the car and put both hands on it.

“I hit my head and shoulder off the windscreen of the car.

“I travelled with the car and was on the bonnet for a few seconds.

“I was aware my car was on the other side, I thought I was going to be crushed.

“I felt myself propelling in the air and felt myself hitting the cobbles on the ground.

“My head and left shoulder smashed against the ground.

“I thought I was going to die.”

PC Kerr stated the car came to a stop but could hear the engine revving.

Colleagues then struggled with Yu before arresting him and Weng, who was in the back seat.

Witnesses raced to help the injured constable before mercy crews arrived.

He had a bleeding head wound as well as hurting his ankle and shin.

PC Kerr was off work for two and a half months as a result of his ordeal.

It was revealed Yu’s had four previous convictions for road traffic matters and had never spent time in custody.

The hearing was told that Weng – a first offender – told officers after his arrest that he was working for “Triads” to pay off a debt for a shop he had.

Donald Findlay QC, defending Yu, and Paul Nelson, defending Weng, will make their full pleas in mitigation at next month’s sentencing.

The pair were remanded in custody by judge Fiona Tait in the meantime.

Following the court case, detective chief inspector John Morrison, of Police Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “This was a deliberate act by Yu that resulted in an officer doing his job being seriously injured.

“Fortunately, he has recovered and returned to duty and that is a testament to his commitment to the work being done to combat organised crime.

“Yu is clearly a very dangerous man and we welcome his conviction which sends a clear message that assaults on officers will not be tolerated in any form.

“Over a number of years there has been an increasing number of reports of assaults on officers and staff. This can cause physical and psychological harm to those who are dedicated public servants and coming under attack should not be part of the job.

“The chief constable Iain Livingstone has made it clear that violence against officers and staff is utterly unacceptable and should never be seen as simply part of the job. He has outlined his commitment to reducing the impact violence has on our officers and staff and to introducing measures to improve their safety.”