A father and son who attempted to murder a police officer by dragging him along a road while fleeing in a speeding Audi have each been jailed for 17 years. Douglas Mills, 58, and Douglas Mills junior, 32, were convicted after PC Mark Smith was pulled into the car and later thrown to the ground during an incident in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, in August 2024. The case underlines the dangers faced by officers on duty, with the judge stressing that such attacks would not be tolerated and warranted a severe deterrent sentence.

PC Smith had approached the Audi after witnessing what he believed was a drug deal, but was yanked inside as Mills junior, who was driving, sped off, with the officer suffering blows to the head before being pushed out and left seriously injured on the road. He has not returned to duty two years on and gave evidence from behind screens, describing fearing for his life. Judge William Gallacher told the pair they had committed a "murderous attack" causing irreversible harm, and imposed indefinite non-harassment orders barring them from contacting PC Smith.