A banned driver told police officers they deserved a promotion after catching him in a high speed pursuit.

Barry McClymont, 38, raced off from officers after striking their vehicle in Glasgow's Royston on February 6 2024.

McClymont - who was serving a nine-year disqualification - went over double the speed limit and through a red light.

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He also repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road.

McClymont was later chased on foot by police officers after he drove into a park in the city's Robroyston.

After he was picked up, McClymont remarked: "You deserve a promotion for catching me."

McClymont pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

He also admitted a charge of reset and having no insurance.

The court heard that the Volkswagen vehicle McClymont was driving was flagged up to police as stolen.

The vehicle was noted to drive on a pavement.

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Prosecutor Emma Baker said: "McClymont accelerated harshly and struck the nearside of the police vehicle and a pursuit began."

McClymont drove through roadworks, struck several cones and travelled over bumps at speed.

Miss Baker stated that McClymont drove in excess of 80 miles per hour, entered the opposite side of the road and overtook vehicles.

He also failed to stop for a red traffic light and passed through it in excess of 70 miles per hour.

Police then lost sight of the vehicle until another set of officers took over.

He was seen to go on the wrong side of the road and headed towards Cumbernauld Road.

Blue lights and sirens were activated while McClymont drove at 70 miles per hour in a 30 zone before he made a sharp right turn.

McClymont again overtook vehicles and went through a roundabout at speed.

Miss Baker added: "The vehicle broke harshly in an attempt to ram the pursuing police vehicle.

"Officers made contact with the rear offside of the vehicle and he continued at speed down Robroyston Road."

McClymont entered Robroyston Park and continued along the public footpath while officers pursued him.

Officers made tactical contact with McClymont's vehicle at a football park but he carried on driving.

McClymont then came to a stop in front of a tree which had fallen, exited the car and attempted to run off.

He was captured and arrested where he then made the remark about a promotion while under caution.

The hearing was told of an earlier incident at Springburn Health Centre where McClymont threatened to harm a doctor.

He was not picked up for that incident until he was arrested for the driving matter.

McClymont pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

Paul McCue, defending, told the court: "He recognises that custody will be the ultimate disposal here.

"This is serious offending - it was complete dangerous - and he is fortunate that there was not more serious consequences."

Sheriff Iain Fleming jailed dad-of-three McClymont for 16 months and disqualified him from driving for four years.

He said: "This is the most appropriate sentence as it is one of the most serious cases of dangerous driving which is exacerbated by you being disqualified at the time."