A GARAGE worker took a customer’s car and narrowly missed crashing into cops whilst drink-driving.

Damian Loks, who is now aiming to open his own garage, was behind the wheel of a Mercedes without the owner’s permission in the early hours of January 16, 2023.

Loks, who also goes by the name of Marcin Szweda, was driving on Atlas Road, Springburn, at 2am when he crossed the path of an unmarked police vehicle on the opposite side of the road.

An undercover cop had to carry out an emergency stop to avoid a collision.

Police activated their blue lights and Loks, who had a man in the passenger seat, stopped the car. He was told to exit.

The 37-year-old, of Royston, gave officers a false date of birth, before telling them the car belonged to a customer of a garage he worked for.

As the police were carrying out enquiries, they opened the back door of the police car and asked Loks to take a seat inside, but he ran away instead.

After a chase, and more officers getting involved, he was caught, and arrested.

Cops could smell alcohol from him and a roadside breath test was carried out. Loks was found to be two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit.

He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.

Loks appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing on Wednesday after previously admitting to drink driving, taking a car without the owner’s permission, driving without due care and attention, trying to pervert the course of justice by running away and giving a false date of birth.

The court also heard about a separate incident in the months before on the morning of November 23, 2021.

Loks, who was driving a Nissan Qashqai, was stopped in Govan, for a routine document check.

Prosecutor Gemma Barclay said: “As officers approached and spoke with the accused, they detected a smell of cannabis from him.

“Officers suspected he may be under the influence. They requested a specimen of saliva and the roadside test indicated positive for cannabis.

“The accused was conveyed to Govan police office. During checks, they noted he was uninsured. He made no reply to caution and charge.”

At the sentencing hearing, Loks’ lawyer said: “He’s well aware he’s put himself into a difficult position.

“He is trying to open his own garage. I explained to him he would have to employ someone to move any vehicles needing moving.

"He was under the impression if it was private property he would be allowed. I don’t think that’s the case and I’ve advised him of that.

“He has not offended for seven years. He’s well aware anything analogous in future could affect his liberty.”

Sheriff Patricia Pryce fined Loks £1230, disqualified him from driving for 36 months, and ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

He was also tagged and will be required to stay within his home between 9pm-8am for 13 and a half weeks.

The sheriff told him: “Do not breach this order because you are this close to going to jail.”