Sheriff astonished as car thief released after a third of his sentence

A SHERIFF has described as "breathtaking" the decision to release an Edinburgh man sentenced to 32 months in prison on an electronic tag after serving just 10 months.

Within a fortnight, Jason Montgomery was discovered in a stolen car in Galashiels and tried to escape after being cornered by a police car.

The 22-year-old was said to be fleeing Edinburgh because his life was in danger and had been given the car by a man known only as "old Alex".

But it emerged it had been stolen during a break-in to a house in Craigentinny.

Montgomery, who had been jailed for assault and robbery, will now serve one year and five months of unexpired sentence and another 10 months for his latest crimes at the weekend.

He appeared from custody and pleaded guilty to reset of a car, no insurance, no licence and failing to stop when required to do so by a police officer.

Viki Welton, prosecuting, said a call was received at Galashiels police station about the manner of driving of a Renault Megane on the A7 just north of the town.

She explained:"A police sergeant stationed himself on the entrance to the town and saw the accused driving with a female in the front.

"The officer put on the blue lights and the car failed to stop. He followed it for about half an hour and it turned into Hawthorn Road and tried to get away from the police vehicle by going at high speed before it came to a dead end. It stopped and both occupiers stayed in the vehicle. The police officer got out and approached the Renault Megane and the accused reversed and drove towards the police vehicle.

"The police sergeant drew his baton and struck the driver's vehicle windscreen four times smashing the glass and grabbing the accused by the arm. Other officers arrived shortly after and the accused was detained.

"A check showed the accused did not have a licence or insurance. Montgomery denied breaking into the house where the car keys were stolen and said he got the car from a friend in Leith."

His lawyer explained that Montgomery was heading to South Wales because he felt his life was in danger.

He revealed that he was sentenced to 32 months in prison for assault and robbery in February 2008 which would run to October 2010 but had been let out on an electronic tag and curfew on December 8.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond ordered Montgomery to serve the remainder of his unexpired sentence which runs to one year and seven months. He ordered him to serve an additional six months for the reset of the car and four months for failing to stop for the police – both to run concurrently.

He also banned Montgomery of Oxgangs Crescent, Edinburgh, from driving for two years on the insurance complaint.

Sheriff Drummond said it was "breathtaking" that Mongtomery had been released so early from a 32-month prison sentence.

He added: "No doubt, the protection of the public is foremost in people's minds when these decisions are taken."