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| Aberdeen police officers murder bid man gets 15 years | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A man convicted of the attempted murder of three police officers in Aberdeen by driving at them in a stolen car has received a 15-year sentence. | A man convicted of the attempted murder of three police officers in Aberdeen by driving at them in a stolen car has received a 15-year sentence. |
| Robert Wemyss, 22, was driving a BMW X5 that had been stolen from Kingswells. | Robert Wemyss, 22, was driving a BMW X5 that had been stolen from Kingswells. |
| He was jailed for 10 years at the High Court in Dumbarton, with an extension period of five years. | He was jailed for 10 years at the High Court in Dumbarton, with an extension period of five years. |
| Co-accused Martin Smart, 18, who was convicted of stealing the car, was jailed for a year. | Co-accused Martin Smart, 18, who was convicted of stealing the car, was jailed for a year. |
| Wemyss was earlier found guilty of car theft, dangerous driving and attempted murder, at the High Court in Aberdeen. | |
| He drove along footpaths and grass verges as he pursued the police through several streets in Aberdeen, eventually crashing into their unmarked car. | |
| Other drivers were forced to take evasive action. | |
| The BMW was driven at the three police officers as they escaped from their damaged vehicle and ran for cover. | |
| Judge Lord Stewart said: "The public expectation would clearly be that sentences of imprisonment should be imposed in your case. | |
| "I am disposed to accept that the intention behind your driving when you attempted to murder the police officers was towards the murderously reckless rather than the deliberately murderous end of the range." | |
| 'Utter disregard' | |
| Grampian Police Ch Insp Garry Senff said Wemyss had "showed utter disregard for the safety of members of the public and some of our police officers". | |
| He said: "Police officers are committed to serving and protecting the public. Thankfully, they don't often encounter individuals who are intent on causing them such serious harm. | |
| "The sentence passed at the High Court today reflects just how seriously acts of violence against the police are taken and should serve as a warning to anyone intent on committing similar crimes. | |
| "I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public who came forward and assisted with the investigation." |