A sheriff has said a drink-driver could have “murdered a police constable” when he drove his vehicle at her to avoid being arrested.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told yesterday that the officer was forced to jump out of the way when 34 year old Pawel Komorowski drove off during questioning.
Another officer was also still holding on to the door of his van when he accelerated away.
Last month, Komorowski admitted dangerous driving in Burnett Road opposite the police station in Inverness on August 30 this year.
He also admitted failing to stop in Shore Street on the same day, and a charge of drink-driving.
Komorowski, of 12 Brown Street, was nearly four times the legal alcohol limit.
Fiscal depute Stewart MacIver told the court two police officers leaving Burnett Road police station saw Komorowski’s van on the street with the engine running at around 12.30am.
One of the officers recognised him and began to ask for his details, believing there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
He opened the driver door and asked Komorowski to switch off the engine.
Instead he drove away, while the male officer was still holding on to the door.
The second officer was forced to take evasive action, otherwise the “vehicle would have struck her”, said Mr MacIver.
Komorowski was eventually found at an industrial estate near Telford Street.
Sentence had been deferred for a background report.
Komorowski’s agent, solicitor Patrick O’Dea, said: “The vehicle belonged to his employers and it had the firm’s logo on it. He told his employer what had happened and was immediately dismissed.
“He can offer no excuse for his actions other than he had turned to drink due to the emotional state he was in at the time.”
Jailing him for four months and disqualifying him for four years, Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood told Komorowski: “It is only by good fortune you are not facing a charge of murdering or attempting to murder a police officer.”