Driver gets 11 years for ploughing into six kids
Judge condemns his ‘utterly reckless’ actions
A HIT-AND-RUN driver who deliberately drove into six children and knocked them flying “like skittles” was jailed for 11 years yesterday.
Gerald Gavan, 22, ploughed into the youngsters, aged 12 to 14, as they stood on a pavement in Castlemilk, Glasgow, on March 24.
The carpet salesman, from East Kilbride, was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh, having previously admitted attempting to murder the children while targeting a man called Billy McGregor.
Police believe the attempt to run McGregor down was linked to the play park murder of Jamie Lee last
year during a feud between two families. Gavan’s former co-accused Gary Owen, who had not guilty pleas to attempted murder claims accepted, is related to Jordan Owen, who is wanted in connection with the shooting.
Gavan’s lawyer claimed his client had wanted to “have it out” with McGregor and that “the red mist descended” and Gavan drove at him in a silver Vauxhall Astra. He hit McGregor on the pavement then carried on into the children.
When attempting to flee the scene, Gavan reversed into a 14-year-old girl, who suffered a broken neck and needed surgery.
Sentencing Gavan, Lady Margaret Scott said: “Six of them were thrown in the air like skittles. Your conduct was entirely and utterly reckless and exceptionally serious.”