WILLIAM BUDGE'S BRUTAL ATTACK IN EDINBURGH LEAVES VICTIM FIGHTING FOR LIFE
UPDATE 1st July 2025: Jail sentence increased from 7 years and four months to 10 years and ten months following an appeal to have his sentence reviewed as it was deemed too lenient William Budge, a 62-year-old man from Edinburgh, has been sentenced to seven years and four months in prison after a violent and disturbing assault on his estranged wife, Sandra Budge, aged 63.The incident, which was captured on CCTV footage, occurred just three weeks after the couple’s marriage of over three decades had ended, highlighting the ongoing tension and hostility that characterized their relationship.
According to reports from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Sandra suffered multiple severe injuries during the attack outside her home in Edinburgh last year in April.
The footage shows Budge deliberately striking Sandra with his vehicle, an act that shocked witnesses and drew widespread condemnation.
The attack was not a single act of violence but a calculated attempt to cause her serious harm, with Budge reversing his car to run her over again after initially hitting her.
In a statement issued through her legal representatives at Digby Brown, Sandra expressed her disappointment and concern over the length of the sentence handed down.
She stated, “I believe this sentencing does not encourage other women to come forward with cases of domestic abuse.
As a society, we have repeatedly heard that violence against women will not be tolerated, yet this low sentence flies in the face of that sentiment.
The outcome today also does not inspire trust or confidence in the justice system, especially to those who have experienced domestic violence or are still trapped in dangerous domestic circumstances.” During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Budge had parked his vehicle outside Sandra’s residence and attempted to engage her in conversation when she returned home.
The situation quickly escalated as he physically grabbed her, tried to force her into his car, and attempted to seize her mobile phone, preventing her from calling for help.
A witness, who arrived during the altercation, intervened to assist Sandra, but the violence continued unabated.
Witnesses reported that Budge then re-entered his vehicle and drove directly onto the grass verge, heading straight at his estranged wife.
The car struck Sandra, lifting her onto the bonnet before she fell to the ground.
The vehicle’s wheels then ran over her as Budge drove back onto the road.
Sandra was left lying motionless on the grass, and in a further act of cruelty, Budge turned his car around and drove over her again.
A witness, attempting to help, had to leap out of the way to avoid being hit by the vehicle.
Judge Lord Lake described the incident as “quite horrifying to watch” and remarked on the remarkable fact that Sandra survived such a brutal attack.
He condemned Budge’s actions as “callous and cruel,” emphasizing that his conduct demonstrated complete indifference to whether his actions would result in her death.
The judge highlighted the “astonishing” level of cruelty involved and the lack of remorse shown by Budge.
Following the attack, Budge fled the scene.
His vehicle was later found abandoned in an Asda car park in Dunfermline, Fife.
The very next day, police in Glasgow received reports of a man in the River Clyde.
Budge was subsequently rescued from the water and identified as the suspect.
He was arrested and taken into custody.
At the High Court in Edinburgh last month, Budge pleaded guilty to three charges: assault, abusive behavior towards a partner or ex-partner, and assault causing severe injury, disfigurement, danger to life, and attempted murder.
His guilty plea resulted in a reduced sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, with the court also imposing a 15-year ban on any contact with Sandra.
Lord Lake explained that but for Budge’s guilty pleas, he would have faced an 11-year prison sentence.
He acknowledged Budge’s remorse and acceptance of guilt, which influenced the sentencing decision.
However, Sandra’s family expressed their disillusionment with the outcome.
They stated, “Scotland is in an epidemic with violence against women, and the family was hopeful today that the punishment would reflect the crime.
Unfortunately, we have a contradicting message being sent by the judge, who was fully aware of the historical domestic abuse throughout the marriage.
We believe the accused only pleaded guilty due to the overwhelming evidence and for his own benefit to receive a lesser sentence, not out of remorse.
We have endured ten months of hell, and the only person who has benefited from this is the guilty man, who saw multiple discounts applied to his sentence.
We hoped today would deliver justice and help us find closure, but that has not happened.” Following the court proceedings, the Crown Office described Budge as a “violent and cruel domestic abuser.” Moira Orr, who oversees homicide and major crime cases for COPFS, added, “Our thoughts and best wishes remain with his former partner as she continues to deal with the lasting trauma caused by this barbaric individual.”
