Edinburgh roofer tried to murder man with van after fight in pub

A roofer who tried to murder a man by driving his van into him after a fight in an Edinburgh pub has been jailed.

Josh Reynolds, 28, drove his van at speed towards the man and struck him with the vehicle before dragging him along the road and running over him as he lay on the ground.

The victim, 29, had been at the Grey Horse pub on Dalkeith Road when he became engaged in an “intense” conversation with Reynolds.

The argument escalated, and the pair engaged in a physical fight outside.

The man went home, got a kitchen knife, returned to the bar and brandished it towards Reynolds.

Reynolds chased the man out of the pub before going to his white van nearby.

As the man was crossing the road on his way home, Reynolds approached in his van and accelerated.

Reynolds hit the victim, causing life-threatening injuries.

The man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Police Scotland detective constable Joanne Robertson said: “This was a serious and deliberate act which could have resulted in the loss of a young man’s life. Reynolds will now face the consequences of his actions.

“I would like to thank members of the public for their assistance throughout our enquiries, as well as the officers involved in the investigation.

“Violence of this nature has no place in our communities and we will continue to work to ensure those responsible of such crimes are brought to justice.”

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, Reynolds was sentenced to nine years and five months in prison for attempted murder.

He was also disqualified from driving for 13 years.