Man who drove over wife twice jailed for murder bid

Advocate depute Leanne McQuillan told the court that Ms Budge left her husband of 33 years in March last year and moved to a flat in Muirhouse Parkway.

They have two adult children together.

On the day of the attack, she had parked her car at a parking space near the flat when her husband pulled up behind her vehicle and tried to speak to her.

Advocate depute Leanne McQuillan said: “She got out of her car and the accused took hold of her and tried to force her into his car.

“He also tried to take her mobile telephone from her.”

A relative of the victim arrived and began shouting at Budge but he responded by saying his wife had “embarrassed” him.

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.

She stayed there until 12 June when she was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation.

Defence counsel Mark Stewart KC said of Budge: “He has a history of working consistently, diligently and providing for his family.

“He is deeply remorseful and sorry for what has occurred.”

Lord Lake told Budge that he would have faced an 11 year jail term for the murder bid but it would be modified to take into account his guilty pleas.

The judge made a non-harassment order prohibiting Budge from contacting or attempting to contact his wife for 15 years.