Man who drove over wife after she left him dies in prison

A man who tried to murder his wife in a car attack after she left him has died in prison.

William Budge, 63, was jailed for seven years and four months by Judge Lord Lake in February 2025.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how he drove his car straight at the woman in April 2024.

Lord Lake heard how he struck the victim, who was aged 63, before carrying out a U-turn. Budge then drove over the victim again as she lay helpless on the ground.

The sentence given to Budge prompted prosecutors to go to the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh.

Scotland’s most senior prosecution lawyer, Dorothy Bain KC, told appeal judges Lord Pentland, Lord Doherty and Lord Clark that the sentence given to Budge was “unduly lenient”.

In July last year, the judges increased Budge’s sentence to ten years and ten months.

The Scottish Prison Service confirmed that Budge, of HMP Glenochil, had died while in its care on September 15.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said: “Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.

“Following the death of someone in our care, Police Scotland are advised, and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

“Fatal Accident Inquiries are held in due course.”