Calum MathesonA driver who caused £100,500 of damage by crashing into eight cars has been jailed for 33 months.
Derek Bowden, 26, wrote off every vehicle during the mass collision outside Glasgow’s Maryhill police office on July 29, 2024.
Bowden was behind the wheel of a stolen Ford Ranger pick-up truck while he was under the influence.
On Tuesday, Bowden pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to charges including dangerous driving, car theft and possession of a knife in a public place.
The court heard that officers at the police station heard the sound of tyres screeching and a loud bang from outside at 11.10pm.
Officers were alerted by members of the public to Bowden, who had been in the Ford Ranger.
“Officers also saw extensive damage to a Mercedes,” Prosecutor Victoria Keel said.
“A total of eight vehicles were damaged extensively.”
Maryhill Road was closed off.
Bowden – whose breath smelled of alcohol – failed a roadside test and was arrested.
He then provided two breath specimens, which were below the legal limit at a police station.
However, Bowden informed police that he had earlier smoked cannabis and later failed a drugs test.
Bowden went on to refuse an alcohol blood test with a doctor despite his initial agreement.
He swore and said: “You can charge me with whatever.”
A body search discovered a knife with a three-inch blade in his underwear.
CCTV later showed Bowden driving at excessive speed before the crash.
An investigation found that the Ford Ranger belonged to a man who had left his vehicle earlier that day in a car park at a location called The Hut.
He found that the premises had windows smashed with a brick but nothing was noted to be missing.
The man’s insurance has doubled as a result of the incident, the prosecutor said.
Ms Keel said that the damage to the eight vehicles which were “written off” cost a total of £100,500.
The cost of the damage to each individual car ranged between £2,000 and £27,000.
Vehicles included two Mercedes, two Ford Vehicles, two Vauxhalls, a Renault and a Peugeot.
Des Ziolo, defending, told the court that it was “fortunate” no one was injured.
It was also revealed that Bowden is currently serving an eight-month sentence imposed upon him at Dumbarton Sheriff Court.
Sheriff John McCormick ordered that his latest 33-month sentence should run consecutively.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years.
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