Man jailed for attempted murder of wife by driving over her dies in prison

William Budge, 63, has died in custody at HMP Glenochil on 15 September 2026, more than two years into a 10-year-and-10-month prison sentence for attempting to murder his estranged wife by driving over her twice with his car in Edinburgh.

Budge was convicted after admitting to ramming Sandra Budge with his vehicle on Muirhouse Parkway in April 2024, reversing, and then driving over her again as she lay injured on the ground. The assault was captured on camera and presented as evidence during his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The Scottish Prison Service confirmed the death and stated that

Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual.

Following standard procedure, Police Scotland were notified and the matter has been referred to the procurator fiscal. A fatal accident inquiry will be conducted in due course to examine the circumstances of his death in custody.

How the sentence was determined

Budge initially received a sentence of seven years and four months after entering guilty pleas to multiple charges, according to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. However, the Crown successfully appealed the original sentence, arguing it was insufficient, and the High Court increased his term to 10 years and 10 months.

At sentencing, Lord Lake described the video footage of the attack as

quite horrifying to watch

and told Budge that

The callousness and cruelty of your actions are astonishing.

The judge noted it was remarkable that the victim had survived the assault, given the severity of the attack. Lord Lake also observed that Budge had used his car

as a weapon

in carrying out the attempted murder.

What charges did Budge face?

Budge pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge, assault to severe injury with permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment, endangerment of life, and attempted murder. His guilty pleas resulted in a reduction from what would have been an 11-year sentence for the murder attempt alone. The charges also encompassed a previous assault and a course of abusive behaviour spanning a longer period.

What was the background to the attack?

The assault occurred following the breakdown of Budge's 33-year marriage. According to court records, Sandra Budge had left her husband just three weeks before the attack on Muirhouse Parkway. The High Court heard that Budge was motivated by embarrassment over his wife's departure and sought to harm her as a result of his anger at the separation.

Sandra Budge sustained life-threatening injuries in the assault. Following the initial sentencing, she publicly criticised the original seven-year-and-four-month term, stating it did not inspire confidence in the justice system. The court imposed a non-harassment order banning Budge from contacting or attempting to contact his former wife for 15 years, according to the Crown Office.

What happens next?

A fatal accident inquiry into Budge's death in custody is expected to take place in due course. This inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding his death at HMP Glenochil and determine whether any factors contributed to it.

Key Facts

• William Budge, 63, died on 15 September 2026 at HMP Glenochil while serving a 10-year-and-10-month sentence
• He was convicted of attempting to murder his estranged wife by driving over her twice with his car in April 2024, an attack captured on camera
• His original sentence of seven years and four months was increased following a Crown appeal
• Sandra Budge survived the assault with life-threatening injuries and criticised the initial sentencing as inadequate
• A fatal accident inquiry will be held to examine the circumstances of his death in prison custody