Man appears in court over van murder bid on two police officers

A man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of two police officers in South Lanarkshire.

Declan McLaren is alleged to have driven a white Renault Trafic van at the officers, leaving them seriously injured, while they carried out routine inquiries on Glen Avenue in Larkhall on 25 July.

He was arrested on Tuesday after a vehicle was stopped on the M74.

McLaren, 32, of Larkhall, made no plea to two charges of attempted murder, three road traffic offences, including dangerous driving, and attempting to pervert the course of justice at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

He was held in custody and is scheduled to appear again within eight days.

Sharon Pollock, 59, also appeared in connection with McLaren's arrest.

She made no plea over a charge of driving without a licence and perverting the course of justice.

Pollock was granted bail while the case was committed for further examination.

The two male officers, aged 41 and 43, were taken to hospital after the incident.

Det Insp Alister Thom said: "This act of violence left two officers, who were simply carrying out their duties, seriously injured.

"While they have since been discharged from hospital, they will remain unfit for duty for a prolonged period, and our thoughts continue to be with them at this time."

He added more than 100 properties throughout Lanarkshire and the Scottish Borders had been searched during the course of the investigation.