A RECKLESS motorist who sent a van and its driver tumbling on to its side after a terrifying police chase through Dumbarton has been locked up.

Anthony McBride was remanded in custody last week to await sentence after he admitted driving dangerously and while drunk on the A814 earlier this year.

The 28-year-old reached speeds of more than 60 miles an hour as he tried to evade police, driving in a manner his own lawyer described as “horrendous”.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on November 26 that three police officers – a chief inspector and two sergeants – were travelling westbound on the A814, between Ardoch and Cardross, on the afternoon of February 3 when they saw an eastbound Volkswagen Golf, with McBride at the wheel, heading directly towards them while overtaking another vehicle.

Kevin Doherty, prosecuting, said a collision was only narrowly avoided after the sergeant who was driving the police vehicle braked sharply.

McBride then continued to overtake other vehicles as he headed towards Dumbarton, while the police vehicle did a U-turn and set off in pursuit.

The chase continued along residential streets in the Westcliff area and then again on the A814 through the town itself.

The police vehicle reached speeds of more than 60mph, the court heard, but was unable to catch up with the Volkswagen.

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McBride admitted ignoring red traffic lights at the junctions with Castlehill Road, Renton Road and High Street, and at the pedestrian crossing near Knoxland Primary.

His actions nearly caused an accident at the Brucehill Road junction, while other drivers had to take evasive action to avoid collisions at the Renton Road junction and the Church Street roundabout.

East of the Renton Road junction, McBride crossed to the wrong side of the short central reservation, driving eastbound at high speed down the westbound carriageway.

The chase eventually ended after McBride's car struck a van near the junction with Silverton Avenue after he had tried to overtake and undertake it, sending the van rolling over on to its side.

Mr Doherty said: “The accused made off towards Castlegreen Street, but officers gave chase and apprehended him.

"They noticed he was smelling strongly of alcohol, and he failed a roadside breath test."

After being taken to Clydebank police office, McBride later supplied two breath samples with readings of 36 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The limit in Scotland is 22 microgrammes.

He was kept in custody and appeared at a private court hearing the next day, where he made no plea and was released on bail.

Jonathan Paul, defending, said: “This was obviously a horrendous episode of driving. It seems to have been a moment of madness on Mr McBride’s part.

"He tells be he has stopped drinking and has secured gainful employment with Morton's Rolls in Drumchapel.

“This has perhaps served as a wake up call to him and a chance for him to take stock of his situation.”

Asking Sheriff Frances McCartney to continue McBride's bail pending the preparation of background reports, Mr Paul said his client had had no problem complying with bail conditions since his initial court appearance.

But Sheriff McCartney told McBride: “I consider this matter so serious that you should be remanded in custody for the preparation of those reports.”

McBride, of Swallow Road in the Faifley area of Clydebank, will be brought back to court for sentencing on December 20.