A ram-raider who drove a stolen car at police has been jailed for more than three years.
Martin Youngson, 30, targeted firms in Peterhead and Aberdeen, using a stolen Mitsubishi Shogun to force his way in.
After dumping the car in Dyce, the 30-year-old – who has a lifetime driving ban – realised he had left a stolen safe inside and returned for it, just as police arrived at the scene.
Undeterred, he drove at high speeed towards the officers – forcing them to jump into a garden.
He then fled the scene and mounted pavements and verges, overtook a bin lorry and bus while it was unsafe and forced other motorists to take evasive action.
At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Youngson was jailed for three years and a month.
He admitted driving dangerously and housebreaking at a previous hearing in Edinburgh last month.
Co-accused Jordan Buchan also appeared at court in Glasgow yesterday, having admitted taking part in the break-ins. The 19-year-old’s sentence was deferred until February for him to prove he can stay out of trouble.
During the previous hearing, the court heard Youngson and Buchan broke into Car Clinic on Charlotte Street and stole tools, before trying to steal vans from Cut Cost Carpets on Maiden Street. They also tried to break into a joinery business in Charlotte Street.
Youngson also admitted stealing a safe from a business in the Murcar Commerical Park in Aberdeen.
The offences happened on February 1 last year.