A police officer said “part of me did not survive that day" as a father and son were jailed for attempted murder

A police officer has spoken about the lasting impact of a horror attack which left him fighting for his life in hospital.

Constable Mark Smith, 35, was on duty on Friday, 30 August 2024 when he approached Douglas Mills Jnr and Douglas Mills Snr in a stationary vehicle on Low Waters Road, Hamilton.

However, when he attempted to engage with them the vehicle drove off at speed, dragging PC Smith along the road, before leaving him lying seriously injured on the ground.

The incident left PC Smith with extensive injuries. He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he received treatment for including a fractured skull and a significant traumatic brain injury.

Two years on, he is still waiting on reconstructive surgery to his ankle.

placeholder image — Douglas Mills Jnr, 32, and Douglas Mills Snr, 58, were both jailed for 17 years | Police Scotland

Douglas Mills Jnr, 32, and Douglas Mills Snr, 58, were both jailed for 17 years when they returned for sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, 14 September.

They had previously been found guilty of a series of charges including attempted murder, assault to severe injury, permanent impairment and danger to life on Thursday, 13 August, following a trial.

Constable Mark Smith has spoken of the impact the attack had on him. And he said that he is unsure of what the future holds—with fears that he may not be able to return to frontline policing.

He said: “As a police constable we often think of ourselves as able to deal with anything from trauma, stress, violence and any number of things thrown our way.

“I was simply doing my job that day, but what happened to me is not something that I could ever have prepared for, nor is it something that will ever leave me.

“I was more than fortunate to survive, but part of me did not survive that day. Part of me was lost and two years later, I have started to accept that I will never be the same again.

“My job was a huge part of my identity. I’m unsure of what the future holds for me, and I fear that I will never be able to return to frontline policing.

“I hope that in some way what happened to me can help prevent something like this happening to another officer or anyone else.”

Two years on Constable Smith is still awaiting surgery on his ankle injuries | Police Scotland

Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Middleton, Chair of Police Scotland’s Your Safety Matters Oversight Group, said assaults on officers and staff are “absolutely unacceptable.”

She said: “Everyone who works for Police Scotland has the fundamental right to come home from each shift unharmed.

“The attack on Constable Mark Smith, who was serving his local community and keeping people safe, was despicable.

"Not only has this had an effect on Mark and his family, but it has also had an impact on his close colleagues on the shift and the wider organisation.

“The safety and well-being of our people is a priority for Police Scotland, and we have seen significant investment in operational safety training, the introduction of body worn video and officers equipped with Tasers, in a bid to reduce the risk of violence towards police.

“We do however continue to keep all assaults against officers and staff under close review to ensure we are doing everything possible to support and better protect our people.”

Detective Inspector Scott Robertson, Senior Investigating Officer, called Douglas Mills Jnr and Douglas Mills Snr “clearly two very dangerous and callous individuals.”

He continued: “Let us be clear that violence towards police officers is a serious criminal offence and anyone who behaves in this way should be in no doubt that we will rigorously pursue them and ensure they are brought to justice.

“Our thoughts remain with Constable Mark Smith at this time, and we will continue to offer all the necessary support.”