A drink driver and convicted killer who sped away from police while dragging one officer along the ground has been jailed for two years.
Shane Seale was convicted by his own dash cam footage, which recorded him telling police: “I’m not going to get lifted tonight.”
Perth Sheriff Court was told his actions would have “catastrophic” knock-on effects on others, including employees of his removal firm which now faces an uncertain future.
Dramatic video shown during Wednesday’s hearing was filmed when the 47-year-old – who has a culpable homicide conviction – was stopped by police in Auchterarder.
Six times the drink-drive limit, he is heard arguing with officers who repeatedly ask him to turn the engine off and hand over his keys.
Video of the incident, courtesy of the Crown Office, is above this story.
In slurred speech, he tells them: “Come on guys, are you serious? I’ve done nothing wrong. Just leave me alone. I’m sleeping in the car.”
One of the officers asks him if he’s sleeping in the car, then why has he got his seatbelt on?
After turning off the engine, he switches it back on and accelerates away, dragging PC Katherine Knox for about 20 metres.
Her scream was caught on video, while another officer uses a baton to smash the windscreen.
The video continues as Seale motors to his home in Kippen, hitting speeds of 108mph on darkened country roads.
Solicitor Paul Ralph told the court: “In no way do I want to belittle the offences, but it is unusual for his lordship to have a running commentary from the accused during the commission of the offences.
“We hear him say: “I’m not getting lifted tonight” and that really sums up what happened, and tells us all we need to know about his thinking that night.”
The court heard that Seale did intend to sleep in his Vauxhall Astra after an evening out with his partner.
“He was approached by police and he picked up the wrong end of the stick,” said Mr Ralph. “He thought he was in trouble and it was just going to get worse.
“When he drove off, there was no attempt to injure the officers.”
Seale, of The Old Nursery, Kippen, admitted culpably and recklessly driving while dragging PC Knox along to her injury on December 1, 2018.
He also admitted driving dangerously and at excessive speed towards PCs Dianne Todd and Mandy Shepherd and forcing them to jump out of his way.
He admitted driving with a broken windscreen when it was dark and while he was heavily under the influence of alcohol.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Seale: “These are serious offences. An officer was dragged along the ground for thankfully a short period of time, causing her injury – although she was a lot less injured than might have been the case.
“In my view, custody is inevitable.”
Seales was jailed for 24 months and disqualified from driving for three years.
