A driver raced from police in a van stolen on Christmas Day which contained presents.
John Fitzpatrick, 33, fled from officers in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, on December 29 2022.
Fitzpatrick drove on the wrong side of the road and went through a red traffic light during the pursuit. The disqualified driver also went through a busy nature reserve where he was found lying face down by police.
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He later told officers: "I wasn't driving."
Fitzpatrick pled guilty yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to dangerous driving. He also admitted charges of reset, driving while disqualified and refusing a breath test.
Sheriff Shona Gilroy jailed Fitzpatrick for 10 months and disqualified him from driving for three years.
The court heard that the Vauxhall van owner Christopher Henderson reported the van missing on Christmas Day.
Prosecutor Carrie Stevens said: "In the van were Christmas presents including trainers."
Police clocked the van four days later in Kirkintilloch swerving across a road.
Fitzpatrick entered the opposite lane on Kirkintilloch Road where he overtook vehicles. Vehicles had to take evasive action to allow him to pass.
Fitzpatrick headed towards Bishopbriggs where he was noted to have narrowly missed a kerb and drove through a red light.
He was clocked at doing 60 miles per hour in a 30-limit zone - his speed then remained between 30 and 50 miles per hour.
Fitzpatrick also avoided parked cars before entering Robroyston nature reserve.
Miss Stevens said: "He drove along the path while there were joggers and dog walkers.
"He also drove past a children's play park and caused pedestrians to take evasive action to avoid being struck."
A police helicopter then followed Fitzpatrick after on the ground officers lost sight of him.
He was seen to exit the van and officers caught up with him as Fitzpatrick lay "face down in marsh land."
Fitzpatrick was noted to be intoxicated and smelled of alcohol.
Miss Stevens added: "As he was arrested, he told officers that he wasn't driving."
Checks were done on the van which linked it to the one reported missing by Mr Henderson.
Fitzpatrick later refused a breath test stating: "What do I need to give a sample for, I have done nothing wrong."
Callum Drummond, defending, told the court that Fitzpatrick had purchased the vehicle off an "individual."
The lawyer added: "When the blue lights appeared, he made a highly regrettable decision to make off.
"He panicked as he was aware that the source of the van was not something that could be simply explained - these matters were inevitable.
"He takes full responsibility for his actions and is fortunate that matters were not more catastrophic."
Sheriff Gilroy echoed Mr Drummond's last remarks and told him that it was an "alarming incident."
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