A JOYRIDER'S high-speed race to dodge pursuing police was filmed from
a helicopter. Teenager Graham Anderson was at the wheel of a stolen car
when he was chased from Dumbarton to Glasgow.
The 17-year-old car thief crashed through red lights and give-way
signs, drove up the wrong side of roads, and went round a roundabout the
wrong way.
He forced drivers to swerve and brake to avoid colliding with him and
at one point almost knocked down a pedestrian when he drove onto the
pavement to overtake cars waiting at traffic lights.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard yesterday that when Anderson crossed the
Glasgow boundary the pursuing officers were joined by an air support
unit with a video camera. Police were then able to film Anderson's
driving exploits from the air.
Miss Roseanna Cunningham, prosecuting, said at times the accused
almost lost control of the Metro he had stolen only hours earlier.
Anderson, of Carbeth Street, Possilpark, Glasgow, admitted that on May
30 last he stole the car and drove recklessly and at excessive speed
through streets in Hardgate, Clydebank, Bearsden, Milngavie, and
Glasgow.
He also admitted failing to stop for police, ignoring traffic signals,
forcing other drivers to swerve and brake to avoid collisions and
crashing into a police car.
The court heard the the accused was already on deferred sentence for
similar road traffic offences.
Sheriff Peter Hamilton sentenced Anderson to six months detention in a
young offender's insitution and banned him from driving for five years.
The sheriff told him: ''It is only by the grace of God that this truly
appalling piece of driving did not have more serious consequences.''
Mr Michael Sinclair, defending, said the accused had vowed never to
become involved in similar offences again after his first taste of
custody while on remand.
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