Serial criminal jailed for trying to kill police officer with stolen car

A serial criminal who tried to kill a police officer with a stolen car has been jailed for 11 years.

Thomas Malone had jumped into the Mercedes-Benz outside a burger shop in Edinburgh’s Gorgie Road – unaware that the owner’s 16-year-old son was in the back watching videos on his phone.

Malone then drove erratically, “fish-tailing” out of control, and also went into the path of a bus and hit another car, leaving the Mercedes badly damaged during the incident on July 9, 2024.

The 29-year-old, who allowed the distressed teenager to get out, was then spotted parked in a Shell petrol station in the capital’s Stenhouse Road by police.

One officer positioned his vehicle to stop Malone from getting away and tried to apprehend him.

Malone struggled and refused to stop the engine.

The officer activated his emergency radio signal as Malone began reversing. He then moved the Mercedes forward and smacked into another vehicle near a petrol pump while the man was still leaning into the driver’s seat window.

Malone then drove between two cars at adjacent fuel pumps, striking a second vehicle.

The officer also hit one of those vehicles and slumped to the ground.

Malone headed towards the exit before colliding with a pole, unsuccessfully trying to reverse and exiting the vehicle on foot.

He was chased by a member of the public and other officers before being arrested nearby.

The injured officer was off work for 12 months and only returned to restricted duties.

As of December 2025, the officer continued to have reduced movement in his right shoulder after being hurt in the incident.

Malone was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

He had earlier pled guilty to charges of attempted murder, dangerous driving and abduction.

It emerged that he already had more than 30 previous convictions, including for offences against the police.

As well as the jail-term, Lord Renucci also ordered Malone to be supervised for a further three years on his release.

He described the crimes as “shocking and reprehensible”.

The judge said: “Members of the public and police officers, who risk their lives, deserve to be protected by the behaviour exhibited by you.”