A harrowing incident unfolded in the picturesque Perthshire town of Dunkeld, culminating in a Glasgow High Court sentencing for attempted murder. Lewis Brydon, 23, from an undisclosed location, received a substantial prison term following a shockingly reckless crime that saw a car owner desperately clinging to the roof of his own vehicle as it sped through the town.
The sequence of events began innocently enough at a local bicycle shop in Dunkeld, where the victim, 40-year-old Adam Flint, was briefly distracted. While a companion engaged Mr. Flint with inquiries about bike rentals, Brydon seized an opportune moment. He quickly snatched the keys to Mr. Flint’s high-performance Audi S4, which had been left within reach near the shop counter, and made a swift exit.
Realizing the theft, a determined Mr. Flint immediately mounted an e-bike and launched a pursuit. As he cycled furiously down the street, he alerted passers-by to the unfolding crime, shouting that his car was being stolen. His chase brought him face-to-face with Brydon when the stolen Audi stalled. Mr. Flint courageously positioned himself in front of the car, demanding that the thief exit the vehicle.
However, Brydon’s response was not to yield. Instead, he revved the engine and deliberately nudged the Audi forward, forcing Mr. Flint off his e-bike and onto the car’s bonnet, where he made contact with the windscreen. Without hesitation, Brydon accelerated, driving directly over the fallen e-bike and continuing his escape. In a desperate bid to prevent his stolen property from vanishing, Mr. Flint found himself clinging precariously to the roof of his own car as it gathered speed.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene, reporting Brydon driving the Audi erratically at speeds of approximately 50 miles per hour. It was evident to onlookers that Brydon’s dangerous manoeuvres, including accelerating and decelerating, were calculated attempts to dislodge Mr. Flint from his precarious position. The ordeal continued for a significant distance, with Brydon driving for a third of a mile, including a perilous journey across the historic Dunkeld Bridge – a structure notable for its 50-foot drop to the River Tay below. The sheer audacity and inherent danger of Brydon’s actions shocked the community.
The terrifying ride came to an abrupt halt when Brydon clipped a kerb at high speed, veering onto a grass verge before finally crashing into a tree. The impact violently threw Mr. Flint from the Audi, sending him tumbling into nearby bushes. Miraculously, despite the extreme danger and the force of the crash, Mr. Flint sustained only superficial scratches and abrasions. Brydon, on the other hand, fled the scene on foot, as Mr. Flint, bruised but remarkably resilient, shouted for others to try and apprehend the escaping thief.
Authorities were swiftly involved, and Brydon was later identified as the culprit. When contacted by a police officer on his mobile phone, he refused to disclose his whereabouts but notably inquired about Mr. Flint’s condition, asking: “Is the guy from the car alright?” He eventually surrendered to the police, attributing his actions to being “under the influence” at the time of the incident. Further investigation revealed that Brydon possessed no valid driving licence, and was, alarmingly, already subject to four separate bail orders for previous allegations of violence, theft, and housebreaking, highlighting a troubling pattern of criminal behaviour.
At the Glasgow High Court on October 20, 2025, Lewis Brydon formally admitted to the charge of attempted murder. During the proceedings, his defence counsel, Duncan McPhie, conveyed Brydon’s “profound sorrow” for the offence, describing it as “opportunistic and reckless.” However, Lord Colbeck underscored the gravity of Brydon’s actions. Handing down a sentence of six years and nine months, the judge remarked on the potential for far more severe consequences given the circumstances. He also emphasized the lasting psychological impact Brydon’s actions had inflicted upon Mr. Flint, acknowledging that while physical injuries were minimal, the emotional and mental scars would endure. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for routine criminal acts to escalate into extraordinarily dangerous situations, leaving a lasting impression on the Perthshire community.
The sequence of events began innocently enough at a local bicycle shop in Dunkeld, where the victim, 40-year-old Adam Flint, was briefly distracted. While a companion engaged Mr. Flint with inquiries about bike rentals, Brydon seized an opportune moment. He quickly snatched the keys to Mr. Flint’s high-performance Audi S4, which had been left within reach near the shop counter, and made a swift exit.
Realizing the theft, a determined Mr. Flint immediately mounted an e-bike and launched a pursuit. As he cycled furiously down the street, he alerted passers-by to the unfolding crime, shouting that his car was being stolen. His chase brought him face-to-face with Brydon when the stolen Audi stalled. Mr. Flint courageously positioned himself in front of the car, demanding that the thief exit the vehicle.
However, Brydon’s response was not to yield. Instead, he revved the engine and deliberately nudged the Audi forward, forcing Mr. Flint off his e-bike and onto the car’s bonnet, where he made contact with the windscreen. Without hesitation, Brydon accelerated, driving directly over the fallen e-bike and continuing his escape. In a desperate bid to prevent his stolen property from vanishing, Mr. Flint found himself clinging precariously to the roof of his own car as it gathered speed.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene, reporting Brydon driving the Audi erratically at speeds of approximately 50 miles per hour. It was evident to onlookers that Brydon’s dangerous manoeuvres, including accelerating and decelerating, were calculated attempts to dislodge Mr. Flint from his precarious position. The ordeal continued for a significant distance, with Brydon driving for a third of a mile, including a perilous journey across the historic Dunkeld Bridge – a structure notable for its 50-foot drop to the River Tay below. The sheer audacity and inherent danger of Brydon’s actions shocked the community.
The terrifying ride came to an abrupt halt when Brydon clipped a kerb at high speed, veering onto a grass verge before finally crashing into a tree. The impact violently threw Mr. Flint from the Audi, sending him tumbling into nearby bushes. Miraculously, despite the extreme danger and the force of the crash, Mr. Flint sustained only superficial scratches and abrasions. Brydon, on the other hand, fled the scene on foot, as Mr. Flint, bruised but remarkably resilient, shouted for others to try and apprehend the escaping thief.
Authorities were swiftly involved, and Brydon was later identified as the culprit. When contacted by a police officer on his mobile phone, he refused to disclose his whereabouts but notably inquired about Mr. Flint’s condition, asking: “Is the guy from the car alright?” He eventually surrendered to the police, attributing his actions to being “under the influence” at the time of the incident. Further investigation revealed that Brydon possessed no valid driving licence, and was, alarmingly, already subject to four separate bail orders for previous allegations of violence, theft, and housebreaking, highlighting a troubling pattern of criminal behaviour.
At the Glasgow High Court on October 20, 2025, Lewis Brydon formally admitted to the charge of attempted murder. During the proceedings, his defence counsel, Duncan McPhie, conveyed Brydon’s “profound sorrow” for the offence, describing it as “opportunistic and reckless.” However, Lord Colbeck underscored the gravity of Brydon’s actions. Handing down a sentence of six years and nine months, the judge remarked on the potential for far more severe consequences given the circumstances. He also emphasized the lasting psychological impact Brydon’s actions had inflicted upon Mr. Flint, acknowledging that while physical injuries were minimal, the emotional and mental scars would endure. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for routine criminal acts to escalate into extraordinarily dangerous situations, leaving a lasting impression on the Perthshire community.