Drug dealer convicted for hitting Glasgow police officer with car

A drug dealer’s been convicted of mowing down a police officer in a murder bid.

49 year-old Zeng Xing Yu ploughed into 37 year-old PC Neil Kerr on Devonshire Gardens Lane next to the upmarket Hotel Du Vin in Glasgow’s Hyndland on July 21, 2020.

Mobile phone footage caught Yu driving at PC Kerr as he and colleagues swooped on a cannabis deal.

PC Kerr told a jury that he "thought he was going to die" as he was "propelled into the air."

Yu was found guilty at the High Court in Paisley to attempting to murder PC Kerr.

He lodged a special defence of self-defence claiming he believed he was under the attack of armed men.

Yu was also convicted of resisting and obstructing other officers in the lane.

Co-accused Wang Wen, 30, pled guilty mid trial to being concerned in the supply of cannabis on the same day, while Yu was convicted of the same charge by the jury.

The court heard plain clothed officers in three unmarked police cars were in the area based on intelligence that a "drugs transaction" was taking place.

PC Kerr and colleague Rachel Walls, 30, attended the scene.

PC Walls left PC Kerr to get a better vantage point from the nearby hotel.

PC Kerr meantime boxed in a Mercedes driven by Yu on Devonshire Garden Lane.

He exited the police car while two colleagues approached Yu's driver's side stating that they were officers and ordered him to get out the motor.

PC Kerr stopped in front of Yu's Mercedes when it suddenly "came towards" him.

Prosecutor John McElroy asked what happened next.

Recalling the horror, PC Kerr said: "I managed to get a slight jump on the car and put both hands on it.

"I hit my head and shoulder off the windscreen of the car.

"I travelled with the car and was on the bonnet for a few seconds.

"I was aware my car was on the other side, I thought I was going to be crushed.

"I felt myself propelling in the air and felt myself hitting the cobbles on the ground.

"My head and left shoulder smashed against the ground.

“I thought I was going to die.”

PC Kerr stated the car came to a stop but could hear the engine revving.

Colleagues then struggled with Yu before arresting him and Weng, who was in the back seat.

Witnesses raced to help the injured constable before mercy crews arrived.

He had a bleeding head wound as well as hurting his ankle and shin.

PC Kerr was off work for two-and-a-half months as a result of his ordeal.

It was revealed Yu's four previous convictions are for road traffic matters and he has never spent time in custody.

The hearing was told that Weng - a first offender - told officers after his arrest that he was working for "Triads" to pay off a debt for a shop he had.

Donald Findlay QC, defending Yu, and Paul Nelson, defending Weng, will make their full pleas in mitigation at next month's sentencing.

The pair were remanded in custody by judge Fiona Tait meantime.

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