Thief admits driving off with security guard clinging to car

Martyn Wilson admitted theft, assault and dangerous driving after the incident at a city supermarket

Martyn Wilson, 23, drove through the car park of Asda at the Jewel in Edinburgh with Colin McLaughlin holding on to the front of his car.

After swerving and speeding up he managed to throw the guard off his car before driving away with his haul.

Yesterday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Wilson pleaded guilty to the theft, assaulting Mr McLaughlin and dangerous driving on February 21 this year.

Mr McLaughlin had approached Wilson and his friend after he noticed they left without paying for three cases of beer and two bags of dog food.

Wilson refused to cooperate and got into his car to drive away.

The security guard stood in front of the car as he took down the registration number and Wilson started to drive at him.

Worried that he would be knocked under the vehicle, Mr McLaughlin jumped on to the front and clung on to the bonnet.

Depute fiscal Melanie Ward told the court that the bizarre chase started when Wilson was spotted stealing from the supermarket.

She said: "He was within the supermarket and, along with another, left the store pushing a trolley containing three cases of lager and two bags of dog food.

"It was quite clear these items hadn't been paid for.

"The security guard Mr McLaughlin followed the accused and the other person out of the shop and towards the accused's motor vehicle.

"Mr McLaughlin then approached the motor vehicle and the accused and asked if he had a receipt for the items.

"The accused said 'no', and he was then asked to accompany Mr McLaughlin back to the shop which he refused to do.

"Mr McLaughlin walked to the front of the accused's motor vehicle to take the registration number of the vehicle.

"The accused started to drive the vehicle towards him (Mr McLaughlin].

"He couldn't get out of the way of the motor vehicle and jumped on to the bonnet.

"He grabbed on to it as he feared he would be swept under the vehicle.

"Mr Wilson started to drive the vehicle whilst Mr McLaughlin was on the bonnet, in an erratic manner.

"He accelerated the motor vehicle then braked, and also swerved the motor vehicle from side to side in the car park.

"He then started to speed up a little to about 15mph - he then changed direction once more, which then forced Mr McLaughlin to fall off the bonnet and on to the road."

She added: "Mr McLaughlin was shaken by his ordeal and had soreness to his legs for a few weeks."

Sheriff Deidre McNeill deferred sentencing for background reports.

She also banned Wilson from driving in the meantime.