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A father and son have each received lengthy prison sentences after attempting to kill a police officer by dragging him along a road. The incident occurred in August 2024 in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, when PC Mark Smith approached Douglas Mills, 58, and his son Douglas Mills Jnr, 32, suspecting a drug deal. Instead of cooperating, the pair sped away in their Audi, pulling the officer partly into the vehicle and dragging him before finally leaving him severely injured on the ground.
The serious injuries sustained by PC Smith included a fractured skull and a major traumatic brain injury, leading to concerns that he may never return to frontline policing. At the High Court in Glasgow, both defendants were found guilty and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Throughout the trial, jurors viewed distressing videos showing Smith falling and being left badly hurt after the attack. Smith described the harrowing episode, revealing that he feared he would never see his family again.
During sentencing, Judge William Gallacher emphasized the gravity of the crime, condemning the pair for carrying out a “murderous attack” that caused irreversible damage to the officer. The judge explained that there was no justification to differentiate between the sentences for father and son, as they acted together in executing the violent assault. Additionally, indefinite non-harassment orders were imposed to prevent the duo from making any contact with the victim.
The court heard from Smith that he and his colleague, PC Colin Harris, recognized Douglas Mills Jnr as the driver of the Audi, having previously visited his home. The violence unfolded rapidly when a man carrying what appeared to be cash approached the vehicle’s passenger side and fled. Smith recounted being suddenly pulled off his feet as the car sped off, with his legs outside the vehicle and his head repeatedly struck. The speedometer reportedly hit 50 mph within seconds, heightening his fear of losing consciousness. After being thrown from the car, Smith suffered severe injuries requiring hospital treatment and has yet to return to duty two years later. Reflecting on the life-changing incident, he stated, “Part of me was lost and two years later, I have started to accept that I will never be the same again.” Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Middleton condemned the attack as “despicable,” highlighting its impact on Smith, his family, colleagues, and the wider police force. Detective Inspector Scott Robertson described the Mills men as “very dangerous and callous individuals,” affirming that violence against officers is a serious criminal offense that will be thoroughly prosecuted
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