Man who drove over wife twice jailed for murder bid

An abusive husband who tried to kill his estranged wife by driving over her twice has been jailed for seven years and four months.

William Budge, 62, was caught on camera hitting Sandra Budge, 63, with his car before carrying out a U-turn and driving over her again as she lay on the ground.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that he attacked her in Muirhouse Parkway in Edinburgh last April because he was “embarrassed” she had left him.

Ms Budge later condemned the sentence and said it did not inspire confidence in the justice system.

Sentencing Budge, Lord Lake told him the video of the murder bid was “quite horrifying to watch”.

The judge said Budge used his car as a weapon and added: “The callousness and cruelty of your actions are astonishing.”

Lord Lake added that, having seen the footage of the incident, it was remarkable Budge’s victim was not killed.

He said she still suffers both physically and mentally.

Lord Lake added: “You have no previous convictions. You suffered poor mental health prior to the attack. You have accepted your guilt and have expressed remorse.”

First offender Budge earlier admitted assaulting his spouse on 14 April 2024 to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment and to the danger of her life and attempting to murder her.

Budge also pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim on a previous occasion between April 2016 and April the following year when he put his hands around her throat.

He also admitted pursuing a course of abusive behaviour towards her between April 2019 and April last year when he shouted and swore at her, called her names, prodded her on the head with his fingers, pushed her on to a bed and subjected her to excessive text messages and calls.

Advocate depute Leanne McQuillan told the court that Ms Budge left her husband of 33 years in March last year and moved to a flat in Muirhouse Parkway.

They have two adult children together.

On the day of the attack, she had parked her car at a parking space near the flat when her husband pulled up behind her vehicle and tried to speak to her.

Advocate depute Leanne McQuillan said: “She got out of her car and the accused took hold of her and tried to force her into his car.

“He also tried to take her mobile telephone from her.”

A relative of the victim arrived and began shouting at Budge but he responded by saying his wife had “embarrassed” him.

The unconscious victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she was found to have suffered damage to her lungs and liver, internal bleeding, rib and ankle fractures and other injuries.

She stayed there until 12 June when she was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation.

Defence counsel Mark Stewart KC said of Budge: “He has a history of working consistently, diligently and providing for his family.

“He is deeply remorseful and sorry for what has occurred.”

Lord Lake told Budge that he would have faced an 11 year jail term for the murder bid but it would be modified to take into account his guilty pleas.

The judge made a non-harassment order prohibiting Budge from contacting or attempting to contact his wife for 15 years.

After the hearing Ms Budge released a statement via her lawyers, Digby Brown.

She said: “I believe this sentencing does not encourage other women to come forward with cases of domestic abuse.

“As a society we have repeatedly heard that violence against women will not be tolerated yet this low sentence flies in the face of that sentiment.

“The outcome today also does not inspire trust or confidence in the justice system especially to those who have experienced domestic violence, or are still trapped in dangerous domestic circumstances.”

In a separate statement her family said they had been through “10 months of hell”.

They added the sentence sent out a “contradicting message”, despite the fact evidence had been led about historical domestic abuse during the marriage.

The statement concluded: “We really hoped today would deliver justice and contribute to our journey as we seek closure – but this has not happened.”

Moira Orr, of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “William Budge is a violent and cruel domestic abuser whose extremely reckless actions could have had devastating consequences.”