By Lanarkshire Live

Copyright glasgowlive

A Lanarkshire thug who robbed a man of his van and then ran from police officers who caught up with him has been jailed for 15 months.

Car jacker Daniel Cowden stole the vehicle in a Co-op car park in King Street, Stonehouse, on January 29, after the driver he demanded them from dropped his keys.

Cowden drove off after a female he was with jumped into the passenger seat, and was later found sitting in the van by police. The thief then fled, shouting at cops: “I’m going to crack your jaw. I’ll come back and shoot you all” before he was apprehended.

The 37-year-old admitted assault and robbery, driving the stolen van while disqualified and threatening police officers. He was already on three bail orders for other matters at the time of the incident.

Rebecca Clark, prosecuting, told Hamilton Sheriff Court the robbery happened around 6pm. She stated: “The male driver was getting out of his Ford Transit van when the accused approached the driver’s door and opened it further.

“He demanded the keys and picked them up when the driver dropped them on the ground.

“Cowden got into the driver’s seat and a female he was with went into the passenger side. The accused tried to shut the door but the van driver held on to the handle and there was a struggle, with the driver shouting for help.

Join Glasgow Live’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

“Cowden managed to drive away while the driver dialled 999. Police officers found the accused sitting in the van in Larkhall.

“He was taken into custody after a short foot chase. He shouted ‘I’m going to crack your jaw. I’ll come back and shoot you all’.”

Defence lawyer Scott Jones said Cowden had a difficult childhood and as an adult has suffered from anxiety, depression and paranoia.

His “fragile mental health” hasn’t been helped by his use of crack cocaine.

Mr Jones said: “He says that at the time of these offences his life was beginning to fall apart. It was an unpleasant incident.

“He is shortly to become a grandfather and seems to be making some progress. Hopefully he will get specialist assistance to address his difficulties.”

Jailing Cowden, Sheriff Liam Murphy told him: “This must have been a frightening experience for the van driver. What’s more, you drove away in his vehicle despite being disqualified.”

The sheriff imposed a fresh 18-month driving ban.

Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox