William Budge: Anger over sentence for 'barbaric' Edinburgh man who drove over estranged wife twice

5 February 2025, 14:30 | Updated: 5 February 2025, 15:28

An abusive husband who tried to kill his estranged wife by mowing her down with a car before U-turning and driving over her again has been jailed for seven years and four months.

William Budge, 62, was captured on camera striking Sandra Budge, 63, with his car just three weeks after she had ended their 33-year marriage.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Ms Budge suffered a number of serious injuries in the incident outside her Edinburgh home in April last year.

In a statement released via lawyers Digby Brown, Ms Budge criticised the length of the sentence.

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."

A court heard how Budge parked his car outside Ms Budge's home and attempted to speak to her when she returned to the property.

During the altercation, he grabbed hold of her, attempted to force her into his car, and tried to seize her mobile phone.

COPFS said a witness arrived during the disturbance and went to Ms Budge's aid.

Budge then got back into his vehicle and drove on to the grass verge straight at his estranged wife.

The car struck her, lifting her on to the bonnet before she fell to the ground. The wheels of the car went over the victim as Budge drove back on to the road.

As Ms Budge lay motionless on the grass, her abusive ex turned the vehicle around and drove back over her.

COPFS said the witness who was attempting to help had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.

Judge Lord Lake told the accused the attempted murder captured on video was "quite horrifying to watch".

He said it was "remarkable" that Ms Budge was not killed, adding: "The callousness and cruelty of your acts are astonishing.

"There can be no doubt that you showed complete indifference as to whether your conduct killed her."

Budge fled the scene, with his empty car later recovered from an Asda car park in Dunfermline, Fife.

The day after the attack, police in Glasgow were alerted to a man in the River Clyde.

After being pulled from the water, he was identified as Budge and arrested.

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Budge pleaded guilty to three charges at the High Court in Edinburgh last month.

He admitted assault; abusive behaviour towards a partner or ex-partner; and assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, danger of life and attempted murder.

Budge was jailed for seven years and four months when he returned to the dock on Wednesday.

He was also banned from contacting his victim for 15 years.

Lord Lake told the accused he would have been facing an 11-year prison sentence had it not been for his guilty pleas.

He added: "You have accepted your guilt and expressed remorse."

In response, Ms Budge's family said: "Scotland is in an epidemic with violence against women and the family was hopeful today that the punishment would reflect the crime.

"Unfortunately, we have a contradicting message being sent by the judge which was even more discouraging by the fact he was fully aware of the historical domestic abuse throughout the marriage.

"We feel the accused only pleaded guilty due to the overwhelming evidence and for his own benefit to receive a lesser sentence - not through any sense of remorse.

"We have all been through 10 months of hell and the only person who has really benefited from all of this has been the guilty man who saw multiple discounts applied to his sentence.

"We really hoped today would deliver justice and contribute to our journey as we seek closure - but this has not happened."

Following the court case, Budge was branded a "violent and cruel domestic abuser" by the Crown Office.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for COPFS, added: "Our thoughts and best wishes remain with his former partner as she continues to deal with the lasting trauma caused by this barbaric individual."