Douglas Mills, 58, and his son, Douglas Mills Jr., 32, were each sentenced to 17 years in prison for their roles in an August 2024 incident where PC Mark Smith was pulled into and dragged by their speeding Audi. Jurors saw graphic footage of the officer being forcibly taken into the vehicle and then crashing to the ground.
PC Smith, 35, testified that he approached the Audi in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, after observing what he suspected was a drug deal. He identified himself as police and ordered the driver to stop. Instead, the driver, Mills Jr., accelerated, dragging PC Smith into the car. The officer recounted begging for the car to stop, fearing he would not survive and would never see his family again.
During the trial, Mills Jr. claimed he did not realize the man approaching his car was a police officer and thought he was an assailant. He stated he drove off out of fear for his life. Both father and son denied the charges.
Following their conviction, the Mills appeared in court and received 17-year sentences each. Judge William Gallacher described the event as a "murderous attack" and a "catastrophic event" that would be remembered by all who saw the footage. He commended PC Smith for his courage in giving evidence, noting that the officer's injuries have made his career path uncertain.
"Police officers carry out their duties, putting them at risk and the community relies on them doing that," the judge stated. "The court must show to you and others who might contemplate this behaviour that it will not be tolerated and result in significant penalties."
The judge emphasized the irreversible injuries sustained by PC Smith, which will significantly impact his ability to perform normal activities. He noted that the attack was "concerted" and "conjoint," with both individuals playing distinct roles. Indefinite non-harassment orders were also issued, prohibiting the men from contacting their victim.
PC Smith, who has been unable to return to duty in the two years since the incident, described the ordeal from behind screens in court. He and his colleague, PC Colin Harris, had spotted the Audi. Officers recognized Mills Jr. as the driver from a previous encounter. They observed a man approach the passenger side of the vehicle before the incident unfolded.
PC Smith recalled being pulled into the car, feeling blows to his head, and shouting that they were going to kill him. He believes he was eventually pushed out of the vehicle, landing on the road at high speed. His last memory was of the driver appearing "almost happy."
PC Smith suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, a fractured skull, and a blood clot. He sustained permanent scarring and lost a significant portion of skin from his back. He is awaiting surgery for ankle ligament reconstruction.
He refuted defense claims that he had not identified himself as police or that he had initiated contact with the car. Mills Jr. maintained he was driving his father home when he stopped to send a text and encountered a family friend. He claimed he was unaware of a police officer involved until later and arranged to surrender to authorities.
Marco Guarino, defending Mills Jr., called the incident a "spontaneous act" and an "unfortunate grave incident." Patricia Baillie, defending Mills Sr., offered little in mitigation, noting that her client had been attacked while in custody.
Following the sentencing, Sineidin Corrins of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service stated that the offenders had been held accountable for "extremely serious and distressing" actions that resulted in life-threatening injuries to an officer serving the public.