Driver ploughs into police inspector in Dumfries
Inspector suffers serious injuries in hit-and-run
Last updated 29th Apr 2026
A man's been told he's going to jail for speeding towards a police officer and throwing him 15 feet into the air in Dumfries last year.
Inspector Jonathan Edgar was struck by 27-year-old Martin McGroary on 28th July 2025 while attending the scene due to concerns related to McGroary.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how McGroary drove slowly between two police vehicles parked at the scene before unexpectedly accelerating towards Inspector Edgar.
Despite Edgar's attempts to avoid the vehicle, he was hit and thrown approximately 10 to 15 feet into the air, landing on the road with injuries to his face, shoulder, and head.
The officer later received corrective shoulder surgery and was discharged from hospital 48 hours after the incident.
Prosecutor David Dickson KC detailed how McGroary momentarily stopped his vehicle before driving away without reporting the incident or holding vehicle insurance.
Inspector Edgar has been unable to return to work, with uncertainty surrounding his future capability to do so.
McGroary pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct resulting in severe injury, as well as driving uninsured and failing to stop.
Defence counsel John Scullion KC explained McGroary's upset due to family disputes and police presence at the scene, leading him to act recklessly.
McGroary's previous convictions include a firearm offence and culpable reckless conduct involving throwing a glass.
Judge Lord Cubie deferred McGroary's sentencing until next month, meantime disqualifying him from driving and continuing his remand in custody.
The judge commented on the severity of the case, stating: "You have pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct involving the use of a motor vehicle which resulted in the severe injury of a police officer who was attending the incident as part of his duties. A prison sentence is inevitable."
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