Father and son jailed for total of 34 years after PC pulled into speeding Audi in murder bid

A father and son who carried out the attempted murder of a police officer have been jailed for a total of 34 years.

Douglas Mills, 58, and Douglas Mills jnr, 32, were in a speeding Audi as PC Mark Smith desperately clung on to the car before falling to the ground.

The constable was pulled into the car after going to speak to the pair following a suspected drug deal in a street in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, in August 2024.

Jurors watched graphic footage of the officer tumbling down the road and being left badly hurt.

The emotional officer recalled begging for the Audi to stop adding: “I thought I was never going to see my family again.”

The Mills’ had denied the charge during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Mills jnr – who had been driving – told the jury he did not know it was the police at his car and instead thought it was a mystery assailant.

He claimed he then raced off “scared for his life”, fearing they were going to be attacked.

The pair were found guilty and appeared in the dock together on Monday, where they were given 17-year sentences each.

PC Mark Smith was left fighting for his life after the murder bid Police Scotland

Judge William Gallacher told them: “The jury had an obligation to see the video of the catastrophic event.

“I suggest that all those who saw these images will always remember them.

“The officer must be commended for giving evidence and shows a test of character to do that.

“His life has become a battle across various parts of his life and it is likely his chosen career will not reach what was hoped.

“Police officers carry out their duties, putting themselves at risk, and the community relies on them doing that.

“The court must show to you and others who might contemplate this behaviour that it will not be tolerated and result in significant penalties.

“I must impress upon you that you were engaged in a murderous attack which is always regarded as a very serious matter.

“The attack involved a police officer in the course of his duties, and assessing the level of harm, I assess that he has irreversible injuries which will have a substantial long-term effect on him to carry out normal activities.

“This was a concerted conjoint attack with each of you doing separate things, and in all the circumstances, I see no reason to distinguish the penalties upon you.”

The judge also imposed indefinite non-harassment orders prohibiting the pair from contacting their victim in any way.

‘I thought I’d never see my family again’

The police officer – who has still not returned to duty two years on – testified about his ordeal from behind screens at the trial.

The constable and his colleague had spotted the Audi on August 30, 2024.

The plain-clothes officers recognised Mills jnr as the driver, having been at his home weeks earlier.

The vehicle eventually stopped and parked up.

Jurors heard a man then crossed the road – apparently clutching cash – and went up to the passenger side of the Audi before making off.

The victim said: “We believed that the male was exchanging for drugs or some other item.”

The PC then got out of the unmarked police car.

The constable said he shouted “loudly” that it was police as he approached while in possession of his warrant card and radio.

He went up to the open window. The driver appeared “irritated”.

The officer then told prosecutor Michelle Brannagan: “It was all very instantaneous. I felt myself being pulled off my feet.

“As soon as it happened, the car began to move off at speed.”

Asked if he knew who was responsible for “pulling” him into the Audi, the officer added: “It all happened so quickly. It took me completely by surprise. I was off my feet before I knew what was happening.

“I had no opportunity to balance myself. I was aware that my legs were outside the car.

“All I remember was blows to my head and, to be honest, panicking.”

The officer remembered seeing the speedometer going up to 50mph “in a matter of seconds”.

The PC went on: “I could feel the blows on top of my head. They were strong enough to make me feel afraid that I would lose consciousness if I did not protect myself.”

The constable told the court he did not know who was hitting him.

He recalled events becoming “blurry” and added: “I was shouting that they were going to kill me.”

The officer believed whoever had hold of him must have eventually released their grip.

He said: “I thought I had to hold onto something or I was going to die.”

The officer believed he was then pushed out of the Audi.

The officer stated: “I thought there is no chance I am surviving here if I hit the road at this speed.

“I thought I was never going to see my family again.

“I remember the sensation of the air blowing around me…how truly terrifying that moment was.”

The officer said his last memory before everything went “black” was the driver “almost looking happy”.

CCTV of the incident was played during the trial.

The officer’s next memory was being in an ambulance before being rushed to hospital.

The court heard he suffered a serious traumatic brain injury, a significant skull fracture and a blood clot. He has been left scarred for life.

The PC also lost a large percentage of the skin on his back after landing on the road.

The constable is on a waiting list for ankle ligament reconstruction.

The victim said: “Every time I look in the mirror makes me think of this every single day.”

He also told jurors: “I really cannot do much with my days before I lose energy. I also have sensory overload.

“I am constantly on alert whenever it is busy now.”

The officer later refuted defence claims that he did not shout that he was police that day.

He further denied that he suddenly “launched” himself into the Audi or wanted to stop the car that day “at any cost”.

Mills jnr gave evidence. He told how he had spent that morning having Botox treatment at his mother-in-law’s clinic and then visited a local baker’s for cakes.

He was driving his father home when he stopped to send a text.

It was then, during a “chance meeting” there with a family friend, that he soon became aware of a man in the car “on top” of Mills senior.

Mills jnr said: “I did not know what was going on. I was scared for my life.”

He stated he “just drove”. After the incident, he feared for himself and his family.

Mills jnr later found out the man was a police officer, and he arranged to hand himself in.

Marco Guarino, defending Mills jnr, told the sentencing: “It was a spontaneous act, an unfortunate grave incident which took place over a short period of time.

“He recognises the consequences of his actions and his remorse is genuine.”

Patricia Baillie, defending Mills senior, said: “There is little I wish to point out or say in relation to the serious matter before the court.”

The advocate further stated that her client has been subjected to an attack while behind bars.

‘Part of me did not survive that day’

Following sentencing, PC Mark Smith said: “As a police constable, we often think of ourselves as able to deal with anything from trauma, stress, violence and any number of things thrown our way.

“I was simply doing my job that day, but what happened to me is not something that I could ever have prepared for, nor is it something that will ever leave me.

“I was more than fortunate to survive, but part of me did not survive that day. Part of me was lost, and two years later, I have started to accept that I will never be the same again.

“My job was a huge part of my identity. I’m unsure of what the future holds for me, and I fear that I will never be able to return to frontline policing.

“I hope that in some way what happened to me can help prevent something like this from happening to another officer or anyone else.”

Assistant chief constable Wendy Middleton said: “Assaults on officers and staff are absolutely unacceptable. Everyone who works for Police Scotland has the fundamental right to come home from each shift unharmed.

“The attack on constable Mark Smith, who was serving his local community and keeping people safe, was despicable.

“Not only has this had an effect on Mark and his family, but it has also had an impact on his close colleagues on the shift and the wider organisation.

“The safety and well-being of our people is a priority for Police Scotland, and we have seen significant investment in operational safety training, the introduction of body-worn video and officers equipped with Tasers, in a bid to reduce the risk of violence towards police.

“We do however continue to keep all assaults against officers and staff under close review to ensure we are doing everything possible to support and better protect our people.”

Detective Inspector Scott Robertson, senior investigating officer, said: “Douglas Mills Jnr and Douglas Mills Snr are clearly two very dangerous and callous individuals.

“Let us be clear that violence towards police officers is a serious criminal offence and anyone who behaves in this way should be in no doubt that we will rigorously pursue them and ensure they are brought to justice.

“Our thoughts remain with Constable Mark Smith at this time, and we will continue to offer all the necessary support.”