Driver who dragged cops down Highland street with automobile is jailed

A driving force who dragged two cops alongside a Highland street together with her automobile once they had pulled her over has been jailed for 18 months.

Lauren Baird, 43, of Aberdeen, used to be being requested why her automobile used to be no longer insured when she had a “moment of panic” and drove away.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the female and male officials had been fortunate to flee critical harm within the incident, which used to be captured in dashcam photos.

Baird, a mother-of-two, used to be jailed after previous admitting to culpable and reckless habits to the chance of the officials’ lives.

She additionally admitted making an attempt to pervert the process justice through giving police false main points, and making an attempt to hide the automobile she used to be using whilst having no licence or insurance coverage.

Sheriff Sara Matheson accused Baird of “appalling behaviour”, and stated it used to be all the way down to success the officials’ accidents weren’t worse than they had been.

The officials had been handled at Inverness’ Raigmore Hospital for grazing, bruises, an injured knee and a staved finger.

The feminine officer additionally wanted crutches.

Baird used to be stopped on 10 July 2023 at the B9152 street between Kincraig and Rotheimurchus, close to Aviemore.

The court docket heard that the officials narrowly have shyed away from being dragged beneath the wheels of her automobile when she sped off.

Natalie Paterson, representing Baird, informed the court docket that it were a second of panic, and she or he had no longer foreseen the “terrible consequences” of her movements, which she absolutely regretted.

Baird, who used to be visibly disillusioned when she gave the impression in court docket, used to be additionally disqualified from using for 43 months.

Following sentencing, Police Scotland stated it welcomed Baird’s conviction.

Supt Andrew Barclay stated: “Whilst neither officer sustained serious physical injury her behaviour was very dangerous and has had a significant affect on those officers involved.

“A police officer’s process, through its very nature, incessantly approach they may be able to in finding themselves coping with unstable and perilous scenarios to give protection to the communities we serve.

“It is totally unacceptable for officers to be put in harms way or injured by the irresponsible actions of others.”

He added: “We will take necessary action with those who deliberately put an officer’s life in danger, as today’s verdict confirms.”