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.