A Dundee man has been told to expect a prison sentence after a high-speed police pursuit ended in a horrific crash for an innocent driver.
Marley Williams, 22, admitted driving dangerously while disqualified in June 2021, in an incident which saw him reach 80mph in closed-in residential areas.
Sheriff Robert More praised the actions of a police officer, whose intervention he said prevented a tragedy.
The officer used his vehicle to “tactically” crash into Williams who, after smashing into a Fiat Doblo on Scott Fyffe Roundabout, tried to escape.
Roundabout crash
Williams, who had been previously disqualified from driving on another matter, was spotted driving on the A90 Forfar to Dundee road at around 7.55pm on June 3.
He was driving down the busy dual carriageway in his Vauxhall Vectra before becoming lost to police sight, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
Officers began a search of the carriageway and surrounding areas.
Around 20 minutes later, his car was spotted on Berwick Drive.
He accelerated at speed and police activated their blue lights, indicating to him to stop.
He continued to drive at 70mph in a 30mph zone, the court was told.
The chase continued through nearby residential streets and at one point Williams “straddled” the carriageway on the A92 near Fairfield Road at 80mph.
Police decided it was too dangerous to continue the pursuit but could see the Vectra heading toward the Scott Fyffe roundabout, further down the road.
Williams lost control as he entered the roundabout and careered into a Fiat Doblo, causing a “debris cloud” to become visible according to police.
‘Tactical contact’ by police after roundabout crash
Four men were seen running from the car and Williams appeared to be trying to reverse to get away.
A PC Buick then made “tactical contact”, the court was told, to prevent him from escaping.
The passengers in the Fiat sustained injuries following the “heavy impact” of the collision.
The accused, following his arrest, was taken to Ninewells with “pain” in his ankle as a result of the crash.
The court was told he suffered soft tissue damage.
Prison warning
Defence solicitor Larry Flynn, in mitigation for Williams, said a previous period on remand had affected his client’s mental health and it had not been a good experience for him.
Sheriff More took a dim view of Williams’ actions, and deferred sentence for reports, adding: “This was an appalling incident.
“There is little to separate it from a case where you might have caused a fatality.
“Be under no illusion, when you come back for sentencing the imposition of a custodial sentence will be there.”
Sheriff More wanted to “place on record” a commendation of the actions of officers, in particular PC Buick in preventing a more serious incident.
Williams will return for sentence on October 14.
