A father and son who carried out a horrific attempted murder of a police officer were jailed today for a total of 34 years.
Douglas Mills, 58, and Douglas Mills junior, 32, were in a speeding Audi as PC Mark Smith, 35, desperately clung on to the car before being sent crashing to the ground.
The constable was yanked into the motor after going to speak to the pair following a suspected drug deal in a street in Hamilton, Lanarkshire in August 2024.
Graphic footage shown to jurors
Jurors watched graphic footage of PC Smith tumbling down the road and then left in a heap badly hurt. The emotional officer recalled begging for the Audi to stop adding: "I thought I was never going to see my family again."
The Mills had denied the charge during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Mills jnr - who had been driving - told the jury he did not know it was police at his car that day and instead thought it was a mystery assailant.
He claimed he then raced off "scared for his life" fearing they were going to be attacked. The pair were found guilty and appeared in the dock together today where they were given 17-year sentences each.
Judge's remarks
Judge William Gallacher told them: "The jury had an obligation to see the video of the catastrophic event."
"I suggest that all those who saw these images will always remember them."
"The officer must be commended for giving evidence and shows a test of character to do that."
"His life has become a battle across various parts of his life and it is likely his chosen career will not reach what was hoped. Police officers carry out their duties, putting them at risk and the community relies on them doing that."
"The court must show to you and others who might contemplate this behaviour that it will not be tolerated and result in significant penalties."
"I must impress upon you that you were engaged in a murderous attack which is always regarded as a very serious matter."
"The attack involved a police officer in the course of his duties and assessing the level of harm I assess that he has irreversible injuries which will have a substantial long-term effect on him to carry out normal activities."
"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.
Officer's ordeal
PC Smith - who has still not returned to duty two years on - testified about his horror ordeal from behind screens at the trial.
The constable and his colleague PC Colin Harris had spotted the Audi on August 30 2024. The plain-clothes officers recognised Mills junior as the driver having been at his home weeks earlier. The motor eventually stopped and parked up.
Jurors heard a man then crossed the road - apparently clutching cash - and went up to the passenger side of the Audi before making off. PC Smith said: "We believed that the male was exchanging for drugs or some other item."
PC Smith got out their unmarked car. The constable said he shouted "loudly" that it was police as he approached while in possession of his warrant card and radio. He went up to the open window. The driver appeared "irritated".
The officer then told prosecutor Michelle Brannagan said: "It was all very instantaneous. I felt myself being pulled off my feet. As soon as it happened, the car began to move off at speed."
Asked if he knew who was responsible for "pulling" him into the Audi, PC Smith added: "It all happened so quickly. It took me completely by surprise. I was off my feet before I knew what was happening."
"I had no opportunity to balance myself. I was aware that my legs were outside the car."
"All I remember was blows to my head and, to be honest, panicking."
The officer remember seeing the speedometer going up to 50mph "in a matter of seconds".
PC Smith went on: "I could feel the blows on top of my head. They were strong enough to make me feel afraid that I would lose consciousness if I did not protect myself."
The constable told the court he did not know who was hitting him.
He recalled events becoming "blurry" and added: "I was shouting that they were going to kill me."
PC Smith believed whoever had hold of him must have eventually released their grip.
He said: "I thought I had to hold onto something or I was going to die."
PC Smith reckoned he was then pushed out by someone in the Audi.
The officer stated: "I thought there is no chance I am surviving here if I hit the road at this speed."
"I thought I am never going to see my family again."
"I remember the sensation of the air blowing around me...how truly terrifying that moment was."
PC Smith said his last memory before everything went "black" was the driver "almost looking happy".
CCTV of the incident was played during the trial, but PC Smith was spared viewing it.
The officer's next memory was being in an ambulance before being rushed to hospital.
The court heard he suffered a serious traumatic brain injury, a significant skull fracture and a blood clot. He has been left scarred for life. The PC also lost a large percentage of the skin from his back after landing on the road.
The constable is on a waiting list for ankle ligament reconstruction.
PC Smith said: "Every time I look in the mirror makes me think of this every single day."
He also told jurors: "I really cannot do much with my days before I lose energy. I also have sensory overload."
"I am constantly on alert whenever it is busy now."
The officer later refuted defence claims that he did not shout he was police that day. He further denied that he suddenly "launched" himself into the Audi or wanted to stop the car that day "at any cost".
Defence statements
Mills junior gave evidence. He told how he had spent that morning having Botox treatment at his mother-in-law's clinic and then visited a local bakers for cakes. He was driving his father home when he stopped to send a text.
It was then during a "chance meeting" there with a family friend he soon became aware of a man in the car "on top" of Mills senior.
Mills junior said: "I did not know what was going on. I was scared for my life."
He stated he "just drove". After the incident, he feared for himself and his family.
Mills junior later found out it was instead a police officer involved and he arranged to hand himself in.
Marco Guarino, defending Mills junior, told the sentencing: "It was a spontaneous act, an unfortunate grave incident which took place over a short period of time. He recognises the consequences of his actions and his remorse is genuine."
Patricia Bailey, defending Mills senior, said: "There is little I wish to point out or say in relation to the serious matter before the court."
The advocate further stated that her client has been subjected to an attack while behind bars.
