A teenager who was locked up for stealing a haul of supercars from outside a millionaire’s mansion was spared another custodial sentence yesterday after he admitted driving dangerously towards police.
George Cowie was sentenced to nine months in detention last year after he and his two friends, Liam Smith and Blair Thomson, made off with sports cars and 4x4s from outside oil tycoon Sean Dreelan’s home.
Yesterday, the 18-year-old was given the chance to change his ways when he appeared back in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Cowie previously admitted committing three new motoring offences on January 26 – just weeks after he was released from a young offenders’ institution.
These included running a red light and driving at excessive speeds towards police officers, forcing them to swerve out of the way.
The serial offender initially appeared in private in relation to the new charges after the Crown felt the crimes were too serious to be dealt with at a summary level.
As a result he was held in custody for five months after his arrest – the equivalent of a 10-month sentence.
However, prosecutors reduced the charges he was facing and he was released on bail earlier this month.
Yesterday Sheriff Edward Savage spared the teenager further time in custody after a positive social work report was put before the court.
Instead Cowie was placed under supervision for 12 months and ordered to take part in the Venture Trust Project. This is aimed at working with young offenders through an activity-based rehabilitation programme.
The court heard that Cowie – who was banned from the roads for the supercar theft – drove dangerously and at excessive speeds towards a marked police car, causing the officer behind the wheel to swerve to avoid a crash.
Cowie then drove the blue Ford Mondeo through a set of red traffic lights and did not stop to give way at a roundabout. He also refused to stop when requested to by police.
The offences were carried out on Granitehill Terrace, Aberdeen, and the surrounding area.
The court heard Cowie had been seen behind the wheel and officers recognised him as being a disqualified driver. Fiscal depute Karen Dow said he was later caught and charged.
Cowie, of 30 Provost Fraser Drive, Aberdeen, also admitted a further charge of reset by being in possession of a stolen motorcycle on January 28.