A DRIVER who tried to escape cops with two flat tyres decided to get out of the car and run away instead, before refusing to give a breath sample.

Dillon McGovaney, 28, was caught after a short foot chase in the early hours of the morning on April 11, 2021.

He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court last week for sentencing following two separate incidents.

Prosecutor Darren Harty said: “Police observed a vehicle drive past them before hearing a loud banging noise coming from it.

“Officers followed it onto Edinburgh Road and observed it had a flat front tyre. They activated their emergency lights, however, the vehicle continued onto Bartiebeith Road and Easter Queenslie Road.

“Officers advised the control room a vehicle was failing to stop. The vehicle entered Easter Queenslie Industrial Estate, travelling around the estate several times, now with both front tyres flat. The nearside tyre was running on the metal rim.

“The vehicle then travelled to Wellhouse Road. The accused stopped the vehicle, opened the driver’s door, and made off on foot.”

After being caught, McGovaney was taken to a police vehicle. Cops noticed he was smelling strongly of alcohol.

He was asked to provide a breath sample, but he refused. He was taken to Govan police office but again refused to do a breath test, stating “I was forced to drive my car”.

He was charged with taking the car without consent from the owner, failing to stop for police when requested, driving with two flat tyres, and refusing to cooperate with breath tests.

In a separate incident a couple of months before, McGovaney was charged with driving dangerously, and at excessive speeds, causing pedestrians to take evasive action to avoid being struck by him, failing to give way at a junction, overtaking a bin lorry, and causing other drivers to take evasive action.

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Mr Harty said: “At 11.15pm on February 2, 2021, officers were carrying out patrol within a marked police vehicle in Glasgow’s East End. They observed a blue BMW approach a junction and stop.

“The vehicle pulled out and turned in the opposite direction, accelerating at high speed. Two pedestrians who were already crossing the road had to run back to avoid being hit due to the high speed of the BMW.

“The vehicle turned onto Tattershall Road and failed to give way to a vehicle, causing it to perform an emergency stop.

“The vehicle then failed to slow down for speed bumps and accelerated at speed around a bin lorry with workers loading it at the rear.”

McGovaney, of Garthamlock, was also found to be driving without insurance and with no MOT.

His lawyer said: “It is clear that he is regretful, and he has been able to display a degree of remorse.

“I have had a full and frank discussion with him and advised him that this sort of driving and failing to cooperate with police could pass the custody threshold.

“I’m hoping to persuade you not to go down the route of custody. He’s already doing an unpaid work order, but significant hours are available.”

Sheriff Charles Lugton disqualified McGovaney from driving for 21 months, ordered him to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work, and be under social work supervision for one year, as a direct alternative to custody.