William Budge also admitted subjecting his victim to a campaign of abuse when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on 6 January.  

The 62-year-old pled guilty to three charges including assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, danger of life and attempted murder. The court heard Budge launched the final attack on 14 April 2024 – three weeks after the woman had ended their 33-year marriage.  

He parked his car outside his former partner’s Edinburgh home before making attempts to speak to her when she returned to the property. Budge grabbed hold of the woman and attempted to force her into his car as well as trying to take her mobile phone.

A member of the public arrived during the disturbance and called the victim’s phone. When the call was answered, she heard the victim say, “give me my phone Billy” and “stop Billy”.

The witness then got out of her vehicle and stood next to the victim on a pathway next to the road. Budge got back into his car and drove onto the grass verge, straight at the victim, lifting her onto the bonnet before she fell onto the ground. The wheels of the car went over the victim as Budge drove back onto the road.

The victim was lying motionless on the grass when the accused turned his car around and drove back over his former wife again. The witness who was attempting to help had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.

The emergency services were called as Budge drove off. His car was later found parked unattended at an Asda car park in Dunfermline, Fife. On 15 April 2024, police in Glasgow were alerted to a man in the River Clyde. After being rescued, he was identified as being William Budge and arrested.

Budge’s former wife suffered numerous serious injuries which were described as life-threatening.

On 5 February 2025, at the High Court in Edinburgh, Budge was jailed for seven years and four months.  

A non-harassment order, banning Budge from contacting or attempting to contact the victim, was granted for a period of 15 years. 

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office, said: “William Budge is a violent and cruel domestic abuser whose extremely reckless actions could have had devastating consequences.

“Our thoughts and best wishes remain with his former partner as she continues to deal with the lasting trauma caused by this barbaric individual. Budge has now been held accountable following this prosecution, which I hope brings some comfort to those affected by his offending.

“COPFS remains committed to prosecuting crimes of domestic abuse, which are an unacceptable blight on our communities. I would encourage all victims or witnesses of similar offending to come forward, report their experiences and seek support.”