Driver who tried to murder six children is jailed for 11 years
A HIT and run driver who admitted trying to kill six children by ploughing his car into them has been jailed for 11 years.
Gerald Gavan, 22, left one 14-yearold girl needing surgery for injuries including a broken neck after he reversed over her.
The thug also admitted trying to murder Billy McGregor in what the court heard was part of a ‘family feud’.
Detectives recovered CCTV footage of the incident which showed the children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, being hurled into the air.
Lady Scott told Gavan at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday: ‘You did not care who you struck when driving your car. Your actions were wicked and reckless.
‘The children were thrown into the air like skittles.’
Gavan admitted attempting to murder the six youngsters in Castlemilk, Glasgow, on March 24, this year.
The carpet salesman, of East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, also admitted trying to kill Mr McGregor, who was injured in the same incident.
The court heard that Gavan and Mr McGregor have links to opposing sides connected to the murder of Jamie Lee in the area in July last year.
Mr Lee, 22, a father of one, died when a bullet went through his legs. Prosecutor Maryam Labaki said the background to Gavan’s crime was a ‘family feud’.
The collision occurred after Mr McGregor had gone to a local shop around 4pm. The children were ‘talking and laughing together’ in the same street.
As Mr McGregor crossed the road towards them, he saw Gavan’s silver Vauxhall Astra heading towards him.
Miss Labaki said: ‘The car accelerated towards Billy McGregor, travelling diagonally and mounting the pavement.’ The car struck him then Gavan careered into the group of children.
The advocate depute added: ‘As the car collided with the group, six of them were struck, causing them to be thrown up into the air. Two of the children were hit with such force that they were carried over a parked car, landing on the ground opposite.’
A 14-year-old girl hit by the car could not get up and Gavan reversed over her before ‘leaving at speed’. The court heard he was unaware she was on the ground. Her neck was broken and she needed a six-hour operation. It is, however, hoped that she will make a full recovery.
A 13-year-old boy was treated for a leg injury and a 14-year-old boy needed stitches for a knee wound. A 13-year-old girl was badly bruised. Two girls, aged 12 and 14, had minor injuries.
The court heard Gavan’s guilty plea was on the basis he had ‘intended’ to injure Mr McGregor. Miss Labaki said: ‘His actions amounted to wicked recklessness in respect of the children.’
Brian McConnachie, QC, defending, told the court that his client was ‘genuine in his remorse in what happened to the children’.
‘Wicked and reckless’