Deaf criminal jailed for car attack on police officers in Dundee

A profoundly deaf criminal who tried to hit two police officers with his car has been jailed for five years.

George Drinnan, 39, was originally charged with attempted murder for the attack in Americanmuir Road, Dundee, in February 2023.

This was reduced to assault to the danger of life at a trial at the High Court in Stirling.

Drinnan’s defence lawyer said his deafness would cause him difficulty in jail, however, judge Lady Tait said that prison was the “only appropriate sentence”.

She said: “The court must seek to deter such offending behaviour.”

The court heard that Drinnan was a repeat offender who was driving without insurance and while disqualified.

Defence advocate George Gebbie said his profound deafness would affect his ability to communicate with others in custody.

However, Lady Tait told Drinnan – who had the help of a sign language interpreter to follow proceedings – that “the only appropriate sentence is a custodial one”.

She also banned him from driving for seven years.

Also involved was Paul Coombs, 53, who admitted driving while disqualified and a dangerous driving offence during the same incident.

Lady Tait imprisoned Coombs him for 18 months, and banned him from driving for six years.