Father and son jailed for dragging 'terrified' police officer along road

A father and son who attempted to murder a police officer by dragging him along a road have been jailed.

Douglas Mills, 58, and Douglas Mills Jnr, 32, sped off in an Audi after PC Mark Smith approached them over a suspected drug deal in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, in August 2024.

Smith, 35, was partly pulled into the car by the pair as Mills Jnr drove off and then hauled along before being left in a heap on the ground.

The officer suffered extensive injuries - including a fractured skull and a significant traumatic brain injury - and fears he will never be able to return to frontline policing.

The pair were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow and both sentenced to 17 years.

Jurors watched graphic footage of Smith tumbling down the road and being left badly hurt.

The emotional officer said he thought he would never see his family again.

Judge William Gallacher told the duo they had "engaged in a murderous attack" that left the officer with "irreversible injuries which will have a substantial long-term effect on him to carry out normal activities."

He added: "This was a concerted conjoint attack with each of you doing separate things and in all the circumstances I see no reason to distinguish the penalties upon you."

The judge also imposed indefinite non-harassment orders prohibiting the pair from contacting their victim in any way.

Two years on from the incident Smith, who gave evidence behind a screen, has yet to return to duty.

The court heard Smith and his colleague, PC Colin Harris, spotted the Audi and recognised Mills Jnr as the driver, having been at his home weeks earlier.

Jurors were told a man then crossed the road - apparently clutching cash - and went to the passenger side of the Audi before making off.

The constable said he shouted "loudly" that it was police as he approached the car, while in possession of his warrant card and radio.

He told prosecutor Michelle Brannagan: "It was all very instantaneous. I felt myself being pulled off my feet.

"As soon as it happened, the car began to move off at speed."

Asked if he knew who was responsible for "pulling" him into the Audi, Smith said it happened quickly, and he was taken by surprise.

He said: "I had no opportunity to balance myself. I was aware that my legs were outside the car.

"All I remember was blows to my head and, to be honest, panicking."

The officer recalled seeing the speedometer going up to 50mph "in a matter of seconds" and said the blows to his head were strong enough that he was afraid he would lose consciousness.

He was then pushed out of the car.

Smith said: "I thought there is no chance I am surviving here if I hit the road at this speed.

"I thought I am never going to see my family again.

"I remember the sensation of the air blowing around me...how truly terrifying that moment was."

Smith said his last memory before everything went "black" was the driver "almost looking happy".

The officer's next recollection was being rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

The court heard he suffered a serious traumatic brain injury, a significant skull fracture and a blood clot.

The PC also lost a large percentage of the skin from his back after landing on the road and is on a waiting list for ankle ligament reconstruction.

Smith, who now suffers from sensory overload and low energy, said he thinks of the incident every time he looks in the mirror.

Mills Jnr gave evidence and claimed the initial encounter was a "chance meeting" with a family friend.

He also said he thought the officer was a mystery assailant.

After the sentencing, Smith said the attack had a huge impact on him and his life.

He said: "I was more than fortunate to survive, but part of me did not survive that day.

"Part of me was lost and two years later, I have started to accept that I will never be the same again.

"My job was a huge part of my identity. I'm unsure of what the future holds for me, and I fear that I will never be able to return to frontline policing."

Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Middleton described the murder bid as "despicable".

She said: "Not only has this had an effect on Mark and his family, but it has also had an impact on his close colleagues on the shift and the wider organisation."

Det Insp Scott Robertson, senior investigating officer, said the father and son were "two very dangerous and callous individuals".

He added: "Let us be clear that violence towards police officers is a serious criminal offence and anyone who behaves in this way should be in no doubt that we will rigorously pursue them and ensure they are brought to justice."