Chase terror driver ‘is going to kill someone’

David Madden drove anti-clockwise round the Kilbowie Roundabout, straight into the path of oncoming traffic, in a desperate attempt to evade police.

The 23-year-old was chased by officers all the way from Mountblow to Lanarkshire – and then tried to flee on foot after the stolen Toyota Hilux was finally surrounded by cops.

Madden’s bid to avoid capture saw him drive the truck across Mountblow’s football pitches, through a pedestrian tunnel and across a footpath – and then across a central reservation on the A82.

He also sped towards a marked police car on Duntocher Road and drove into the path of oncoming vehicles on Kilbowie Road in the course of the chase on September 22 – which continued through Bearsden, Balmore, Torrance, Bishopbriggs, Robroyston, Stepps, Gartcosh, Bargeddie and Uddingston – where chasing police decided to fall back because of the growing danger to pedestrians and other drivers.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week, Madden admitted driving dangerously, and grossly in excess of speed limits, while disqualified and without insurance when he appeared in court on Thursday.

He also admitted the reset of a stolen motor vehicle and a number of items contained inside – including tools valued at more than £4,000.
Kevin Doherty, prosecuting, told Dumbarton Sheriff Court the Toyota had been stolen two weeks before the chase took place after its owner took it to the Birny Hills above Duntocher in the course of his work as a forestry machine operator.

Madden’s solicitor, Stephen MacBride, accepted jail was inevitable, but pleaded with Sheriff William Gallagher for leniency due to his client experiencing a “chaotic period in his life” at the time of the offences. 

Mr MacBride added: “It’s his intention to make a real sea change regarding his position in the community. That may be a positive aspect of a case in which there are very few positives.”

Madden, who has three previous convictions for dangerous driving, was remanded in custody until January 16 for a social work report – but Sheriff Gallacher warned that Madden should expect nothing less than a lengthy prison sentence.

Sheriff William Gallacher warned him: “Don’t kid yourself on. Parliament has specified a maximum sentence on these offences, and I find it very hard to consider that is not the sentence I will be imposing.

“You showed no regard for anyone else at all. The fact we’re only hearing about damage to vehicles, and that you, your passenger and anyone else you encountered is not dead or seriously injured, is simply good luck.”

Willie McLaughlin, chairman of Dalmuir and Mountblow Community Council, was one of the drivers who had to slam on his brakes as Madden crossed Kilbowie roundabout.

He called for a stiff sentence and a life-time ban from the roads.
Mr McLaughlin told the Post: “We slammed the brakes on and it just missed us. It was pretty terrifying and I had people in the car as well. It could have been tragic.

“It was the first time I have witnessed such crazy driving. We just sat there ashen-faced. We are lucky we escaped. It put the fear of death in me.”

“This guy is a danger to society so I would hate for anyone to suffer a tragedy because of this idiot. 

“I hope he gets jailed and banned for life. He is just going to kill someone someday.”

Madden, listed as a prisoner at Low Moss in Bishopbriggs, will appear again at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on January 16.

Kevin Doherty, prosecuting, told Dumbarton Sheriff Court the Toyota had been stolen two weeks before the chase took place after its owner took it to the Birny Hills above Duntocher in the course of his work as a forestry machine operator.

Mr Doherty said an off-duty police officer noticed the distinctive vehicle at 3.40pm on September 22, though it was wearing different registration plates to the ones displayed when it was stolen.

Police first caught up with the Hilux, with Madden behind the wheel, while it was parked on Mountblow Road – but when officers got out of their car to speak to Madden, he reversed away from them, hitting a parked vehicle, before accelerating away at speed.

Mr Doherty said: “The pursuit took place on various roads. The manner of driving can best be described as irresponsible and dangerous, given that the streets are in built up areas, but Mr Madden was clearly determined the police were not going to apprehend him easily.

“He was noted to travel considerably in excess of the speed limits on those roads.”

Mr Doherty said that at several points during the pursuit – which continued beyond Clydebank through Bearsden, Balmore, Torrance, Bishopbriggs, Robroyston, Stepps, Gartcosh, Bargeddie and Uddingston – chasing police decided to fall back because of the growing danger to pedestrians and other drivers.

At one point Madden stopped at a filling station in North Lanarkshire to refuel – and when a police car caught up with the truck, Madden drove it straight at the officers’ vehicle.

He also evaded the police’s attempts to block the road by swerving on to a grass verge and driving along a pavement.

Mr Doherty said: “He was eventually forced to come to a halt when police closed in on the Toyota. Mr Madden and his passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, but both were apprehended a very short distance away.”

A check of the police’s national computer after Madden was stopped revealed that he was banned from driving at the time and did not have insurance to drive the Toyota, which was written off as a result of the damage sustained during the chase.

After trying to escape on foot, Madden was arrested, cautioned and charged, and was remanded in custody after an initial court appearance on September 26.

Madden’s solicitor, Stephen MacBride, said: “This matter will be dealt with by a custodial sentence – I don’t attempt to suggest any other disposal would be appropriate.

“At the time of this incident his life was absolutely chaotic – so much so that his family basically washed their hands of him.

“Since he’s been remanded he has been reconciled with his family and has made efforts to engage with prison authorities. 

“It’s his intention to make a real sea change regarding his position in the community. That may be a positive aspect of a case in which there are very few positives.”

Madden, listed in court papers as a prisoner at Low Moss in Bishopbriggs, was also on bail at the time the offences were committed, having been granted bail at Hamilton Sheriff Court on December 8 and 22, 2016.

Sheriff William Gallacher decided to adjourn the case to find out from social workers whether Madden might require supervision on his eventual release from prison.

But the sheriff warned him: “Don’t kid yourself on. Parliament has specified a maximum sentence on these offences, and I find it very hard to consider that is not the sentence I will be imposing.

“You showed no regard for anyone else at all. The fact we’re only hearing about damage to vehicles, and that you, your passenger and anyone else you encountered is not dead or seriously injured, is simply good luck.”

Madden’s case will call again on January 16.