Police inspector thrown 15ft in air after being struck by driver in hit-and-run

A police inspector was thrown around 15ft into the air after he was struck by a driver in a brutal hit-and-run.

The officer was ploughed into by Martin McGroary, 27, in Dumfries, on July 28, 2025.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the inspector attended the street amid concerns regarding McGroary, whose brother had recently died in a road traffic accident.

The inspector parked the police car close to a police van before McGroary drove slowly between both vehicles.

McGroary drove past the inspector again when the officer had exited his vehicle.

McGroary, who had his window down, said: “What the f***s this all about?”

He then turned his car around for a third time around 30 to 35 metres from the inspector, who was standing beside the police vehicle’s driver’s door.

Officers became “concerned” by McGroary’s actions and believed he was going to exit his vehicle when his door opened.

A constable drew his baton and McGroary’s door shut.

Prosecutor David Dickson KC said: “McGroary was then seen to unexpectedly accelerate and drive away at excessive speed in the direction of both police vehicles and where [the inspector] stood beside his vehicle.

“Where he stood placed [the victim] close the centre line of the road.”

The space between both police vehicles was stated to be “minimal.”

The officer thought that he might be hit by the vehicle and ran towards the pavement to avoid being struck.

Mr Dickson said: “However, the front offside of McGroary’s vehicle struck [the officer] and threw him into the air.

“The officer travelled approximately 10 to 15 feet and landed on the road.

“McGroary stopped his vehicle momentarily and appeared to have observed he had struck a police officer.

“Officers dragged [the victim] off the roadway and behind a wall. McGroary then drove past the officers and drove off.”

The inspector was noted to be dazed as well as having clear facial and shoulder injuries but was still breathing.

He was then taken to hospital where he was stated to have a dislocated shoulder, head and face injuries as well as several areas of bruising.

The inspector was given corrective surgery to his shoulder and was discharged 48 hours later.

Mr Dickson said: “The officer has been unable to return to work since the incident and may not be able to do so in future.”

It was also stated by the advocate depute that McGroary did not have insurance and failed to stop to report the incident.

McGroary pleaded guilty on Wednesday to culpable and reckless conduct to severe injury.

He also admitted driving without insurance and failing to report the incident.

John Scullion KC, defending, told the court: “There had been an argument with family members who live on the street about where his brother should be buried.

“This was why Mr McGroary was on the street. He was extremely upset by the death of his brother and thereafter by the arguments.

“Due to the presence of the police, he thought he was going to be arrested and that’s why he drove off as described.

“He thought there was enough room to pass the police on the road which was clearly reckless in that regard which resulted in him striking the inspector.”

It was revealed McGroary has a previous high court conviction for a firearm offence as well as a separate culpable and reckless conduct matter which involved the throwing of a glass.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Cubie, who disqualified McGroary from driving and continued his remand in custody meantime.

The judge said: “You have pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct involving the use of a motor vehicle which resulted in the severe injury of a police officer who was attending the incident as part of his duties.

“A prison sentence is inevitable.”