Pair who tried to murder pedestrian by mowing him down with car jailed for eight years

Two men who attempted to murder a pedestrian with a car have each been jailed for eight years.

Drew McIntosh, 42, and Paul Henderson, 36, launched the murder bid against the victim with the vehicle in Dundee.

The pair had denied the offence during a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh but were convicted of the crime by a jury.

McIntosh, of Dundee, and Henderson, a prisoner, were also found guilty of taking part in a separate assault on the same victim at an address in Dundee.

They attacked the man on September 30, 2024, on Gillburn Road in the city.

Henderson repeatedly punched him on the head, seized him by the body and pushed him, resulting in him falling down stairs. McIntosh also assaulted him by pursuing him and attempting to punch him on the head.

On the same date at the McTaggart Gymnastics Centre, at Old Glamis Road, and elsewhere, they carried out the car attack.

McIntosh, while acting with Henderson, pursued the victim and struck him with the vehicle to his injury and the danger of life in the attempted murder.

The trial judge, Lady Haldane, told the pair, following the verdict, that they both stood convicted of assaulting the victim at a house in Dundee.

She said: “More seriously, you have been convicted of using a car as a weapon, and as the jury have concluded, attempted to murder him on the same evening.”

The judge said that although both had previous convictions, none were of the seriousness of the attempted murder offence.

Lady Haldane called for background reports to be prepared on them ahead of sentencing and said that, given the “very serious nature” of the murder bid charge, they would be remanded in custody.

On Thursday, the two men appeared for sentencing before Lady Haldane again at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The court heard how each of the accused blamed the other for being the driver of the vehicle, which struck the victim.

Lady Haldane told the pair that were banned from driving for nine years.

Addressing McIntosh, Lady Haldane made reference to his good employment record and his mature age.

She added: “It is against that background that makes it more inexplicable as to why you would involve yourself in the events of the charge.”

Lady Haldane also said that custody was the only option available to her.

She added: “Given the serious nature of this offence, I am persuaded that in the circumstances a custodial sentence of eight years is the most appropriate disposal.”