A domestic abuser who tried to kill his estranged wife by mowing her down with his car twice has died in prison. William Budge, 63, was described as a "barbaric individual" after carrying out the horrific attack on his wife Sandra in April 2024.
Budge admitted to assaulting his spouse to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement, danger of life and attempted murder at the High Court in Edinburgh in January 2025. He was jailed for seven years and four months following his guilty pleas but a successful appeal from the Crown saw his sentence extended to 10 years and 10 months.
Death in prison
The Scottish Prison Service confirmed that Budge, who had been locked up at HMP Glenochil, died on Tuesday, September 15.
Evil Budge also admitted to subjecting his victim to a campaign of abuse. Budge, formerly of Silverknowes Gardens, Edinburgh, launched one final attack on his wife as he attempted to kill her three weeks after she had ended their 33-year marriage.
He parked his car outside Sandra's Edinburgh home before making attempts to speak to her when she returned to the property. He grabbed hold of her and attempted to force her into his car as well as trying to take her mobile phone.
The attack
During the altercation, a relative of the victim arrived and began shouting at Budge who said: "She's f---ing embarrassed me." 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 Budge turned his car around and drove back over his former wife again. The relative who was attempting to help had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.
Women and children could be heard screaming as Sandra lay motionless on the ground and the whole horrific ordeal was captured on camera.
Aftermath and sentence
Budge drove off before police and paramedics attended. The unconscious victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she was found to have suffered damage to her lungs and liver, internal bleeding, rib and ankle fractures and other injuries.
His car was later found parked unattended in a car park at Asda in Dunfermline. The following day, police in Glasgow were alerted to a man in the River Clyde who was identified as being Budge after he was rescued.
Budge's former wife suffered numerous serious injuries which were described as 'life-threatening'. In July 2025, an appeal from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service was successful and Budge's original sentence was extended. Prosecutors argued the sentence was unduly lenient and judges agreed, sentencing him to 10 years and 10 months behind bars.
