Man who threw cocaine from car in police chase jailed

William Paterson was arrested as part of an investigation into organised crime

A personal trainer who threw a box of cocaine worth £900,000 from a moving car during a high speed police chase has been jailed for more than five years.

William Paterson, 35, was arrested as part of Operation Windstriker, which focused on an organised crime group based in the west of Scotland.

He was seen by police receiving a box from a man in Springboig in Glasgow. When followed by officers, Paterson threw a phone and black box from the car.

During the chase, Paterson's Mercedes ran a red light and struck a police car, which had to be written off.

Following a car chase, police found a box containing 90 blocks of cocaine near Hogganfield Loch

Paterson pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime.

The court heard how officers had stopped beside Paterson at a set of traffic lights on the city's Cumbernauld Road, after he was observed receiving the box.

Prosecutor Alan Parfery told the court Paterson became aware of the officers and drove away, crossing the central reservation and the wrong side of the road before driving at speed towards Glasgow.

He then struck a police vehicle and drove through a red light.

Officers saw Paterson throw a black phone out of the driver's window during the pursuit.

Paterson later did a u-turn and drove back towards the pursuing officers.

His car struck the police vehicle which caused his airbags to inflate and damaged both cars.

He was captured and taken to hospital where he was later released without needing treatment.

Police retraced their route after the chase and found the black box near Hogganfield Loch. It contained 90 blocks of cocaine which was between 81%-83% pure.

Mr Parfery said: "Subdivided into one gram street deals, there is potential realisation of between £719,000 and £898,800."

'Financial difficulties'

Two envelopes containing £1,000 and £5,370 were found in the car during a search.

A search of Paterson's home in Chryston, Lanarkshire, recovered a MacBook and iPhone which were later destroyed by police.

Bob Mitchell, defending, said the father of two became involved in crime having suffered "financial difficulties".

The court heard how Paterson's only prior convictions concerned road traffic matters.

Mr Mitchell said: "He was offered money to act in the way he did on this day.

"He was to be a courier for one day which was the date of the offence. It's a decision he bitterly regrets."

Jailing Paterson for five years and four months, Judge Lady Hood acknowledged he had suffered with his mental health.

"Having suffered yourself and helped others, you are aware of the devastating impact substances have," she said.

"You said yourself that you feel like a fraud and you did not use the support of your family but became embroiled in organised crime.

"Trafficking Class A drugs with a substantial quantity is a serious offence and I have to protect the public by deterring others from becoming involved in this activity."