Nineteen-year-old admits carjacking, armed robbery, and high-speed chase

The High Court in Glasgow was informed that an individual, identified as an armed robber, engaged in a high-speed pursuit with police after committing a robbery at a petrol station. This incident occurred as he was en route to meet a female acquaintance. William MacLeod, aged 19, first carried out a carjacking at a Tesco supermarket, acquiring a vehicle, before proceeding to rob an Esso garage in Inverness on May 9. He contacted the 18-year-old woman via message, inquiring if she wished to go for “a spin.” At that moment, she was not cognizant of MacLeod’s prior actions. Testimony presented to the court indicated that the subsequent 15-minute police pursuit, which began shortly after the woman entered the stolen vehicle, caused her to be “scared and crying.” MacLeod, who was under the influence of alcohol and lacked a driving licence, has entered a guilty plea to several charges. The court was informed that he had stolen a Volvo vehicle from outside a Tesco branch located in Inverness. A woman was occupying the passenger seat while her husband was inside the store. Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel recounted: “MacLeod opened the driver’s door, bent down to look at her and aggressively stated: ‘Get out the car now’.” She promptly exited the vehicle, and MacLeod drove away at high speed. Approximately twenty minutes later, at 21:53, he reached the petrol station with the intention of fueling the car. While approaching the counter, seemingly to make a payment, he instructed a worker: “Give me all your money. Open the till. I have a gun.” He then produced an object resembling a black-coloured firearm. The employee reportedly felt “scared for his life” as MacLeod seized £130 in banknotes. Subsequently, MacLeod telephoned his friend to inform her he would arrive in 15 minutes. Authorities had been notified regarding the carjacking and the robbery. MacLeod was observed operating a vehicle northbound on the A9, prior to picking up the woman at her residence. Ms Dalziel stated: “MacLeod then drove out a cul-de-sac mounting the kerb to get past a number of marked police vehicles which had congregated.” Initially, he proceeded at speeds of 62mph within a 20mph zone, with officers in pursuit. At one point, he reduced his speed sufficiently to permit his distressed passenger to exit the vehicle. Ms Dalziel reported: “She was scared, crying and pulled her knees to her chest. She had asked MacLeod what he was doing.” She repeatedly requested him to halt, but he remained silent. Ultimately, he uttered ‘fine’ and decelerated the vehicle, yet did not bring it to a complete stop. The pursuit persisted, reaching speeds of 95mph with the headlights extinguished, and subsequently exceeding 120mph. His loss of control occurred only upon reaching a roundabout in Ardullie, Easter Ross, enabling police to obstruct his path. An imitation handgun, which had been utilized in the robbery, was discovered in the footwell of the Volvo. This weapon possessed the capability of discharging ball-bearing pellets. MacLeod entered a guilty plea to charges encompassing assault and robbery, in addition to dangerous driving and driving while intoxicated. His sentencing is scheduled for a subsequent date. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Details concerning our policy on external linking are available.