COPS on mobile patrol in Glasgow’s East End witnessed a road crash while dealing with another incident, a court has heard.

The two officers spotted Tahir Chughtai driving his car which collided with a bollard on Tollcross Road on September 13, 2015.

The court heard from the Procurator Fiscal depute that the officers attention was drawn to the vehicle because of the loud screeching noise it was making.

Chughtai, 20, appeared in the dock for sentencing at Glasgow Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to driving the car at excessive speed, failing to give way at the junction between Causeywayside Street and Tollcross Road, and colliding the car with a bollard.

The offence happened at around 9.30pm and was witnessed by the two officers who were dealing with another incident.

They heard loud screeching and turned round to see what it was.

Chughtai, of Circus Drive, Glasgow, also mounted the pavement before the collision.

The two police officers immediately ran to his and another passenger’s aid.

The pair, however, were both unharmed and declined medical attention.

Chughtai’s defence agent told the court: “This is a young person who does face the prospect of detention.

“He understands the seriousness of this offence and he regrets it deeply

“He was very lucky that someone wasn’t injured that day.”

His defence agent also explained that the former apprentice mechanic had been driving the car which had been given to him by the garage he was training with.

The garage ordered him to pay for the car at a cost of £1,000 and when he completed that repayment, his apprenticeship ended.

The court heard that Chughtai has since regained employment but wishes to pursue his career as a mechanic in the future.

Sheriff Kelly imposed a Community Payback Order on Chughtai because of his limited record.

He was placed under supervision for 12 months and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months.