Van thug chased man over ‘debt’
AROUGHCASTER who drove a van at a man over an alleged debt has been jailed for more than five years.
Sean McGartland, 32, was caught because he left his driving licence in the vehicle.
Dad-of-three McGartland, of Balloch Road, Greenock, admitted assaulting Liam Reid to the danger of his life by driving at him with a Ford Transit van and pinning him against a wall.
At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lord Mulholland told McGartland: “Your actions that day were cowardly and despicable. You used a van as a weapon. It is no excuse you believed he owed you money.
“Your victim was badly injured. He had a broken leg and had to have a pin put in his leg. It is fortunate he wasn’t more seriously injured.”
It is believed the alleged debt amounted to several thousands of pounds.
The offence took place at Murdieston Street, in the Inverclyde town, on August 27, last year.
McGartland, who appeared via a video link, was originally charged with attempting to murder Mr Reid, but the Crown accepted his guilty plea to the reduced charge of assault to danger of life.
Defence counsel John McElroy, representing McGartland, said: “He is a self-employed working man – a roughcaster – who lost money.
“He tried to get hold of the complainer on Facebook and other social media. He saw him and the red mist descended. It wasn’t thought out. He saw someone he thought had taken advantage.”
The court heard that at 6pm Mr Reid was walking in Murdieston Street and saw the accused driving along in a van.
McGartland began to shout aggressively about money he claimed Mr Reid owed him.
Ms Harper said: “The complainer turned and began running down the street away from the van.
“The accused drove the van at him, pinning him against the wall.”
McGartland then reversed the van slightly before driving at Mr Reid and striking him again. Mr Reid had to undergo surgery. McGartland was jailed for 63 months.