Man jailed for hitting police officer with car

A man who hit a police officer with a car - propelling him about 15ft (4.5m) across the road - has been jailed for four years and three months.

Martin McGroary, 27, struck Insp Jonathan Edgar on Herries Avenue in Dumfries on 28 July last year.

He had previously pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct to severe injury as well as admitting driving without insurance and failing to report the incident.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Cubie told McGroary that the case could only be dealt with by a custodial sentence.

The judge described it as a "momentary action and a single act" when McGroary had tried to escape while "driving away at speed".

"You hit him despite his efforts to escape which caused him to be thrown across the carriageway," he added.

"The consequences could have been much worse but he did suffer severe injury and the possibility he has to give up his career."

The judge said McGroary had accepted responsibility for his actions and recognised he had made a "bad decision".

"I recognise the tragic loss of your brother and family fall-out affected your thoughts and impulsiveness," he said.

"You say that you feel horrible and horrendous and the victim was just doing his job."

McGroary was also banned from driving for seven years.

The court previously heard that Edgar attended the street due to concerns regarding McGroary, whose brother had recently died in a road accident.

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

Officers thought he was going to get out of his car when the door opened but, after one drew a baton, he closed it again.

McGroary then drove away "at excessive speed" in the direction of the vehicles and Edgar ran towards the pavement to try to avoid being struck.

However, the court was told Edgar was hit and thrown into the air and travelled about 10ft (3m) to 15ft (4.5m) before landing on the road.

He was later taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder, head and face injuries as well as several areas of bruising.

John Scullion KC, defending, told the sentencing: "The incident which gave rise to the charge occurred at a difficult time in (McGroary's) life.

"It seems clear that he accepts full responsibility for his actions and displays remorse for his behaviour and the injuries to Insp Edgar which appears to be genuine.

"It is fair to say that he bitterly regrets his actions."