Man jailed for trying to kill six children
● Youngsters hit as driver targeted man over vendetta
A hit-and-run driver who deliberately tried to mow down and kill six children in Glasgow has been jailed for 11 years.
Gerald Gavan, 22, admitted to driving at the youngsters on 24 March as they stood on the pavement in the city’s Castlemilk area as he attempted to target another man.
The court heard the children, aged between 12 and 14, went flying “like skittles”.
Gavan reversed over one schoolgirl, who suffered a broken neck, before driving off.
A man has been jailed for 11 years after he admitted trying to kill six children in a hitand-run.
The youngsters, aged between 12 and 14, were standing on a pavement in the Castlemilk area of Glasgow during the afternoon of 24 March when the incident happened.
Gerald Gavan, 22, was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, having previously admitted that he drove at the children – who went flying “like skittles” – while targeting a man who was nearby.
The court had heard that the
incident was down to tension in the neighbourhood over the death of a man in 2017, who was a relative of the intended victim of Gavan’s attack, Billy Mcgregor.
Gavan’s lawyer said his client had wanted to “have it out” with Mr Mcgregor, because he had been targeting him and his girlfriend.
He added that when he saw his target “the red mist descended” and he drove at him.
Lady Margaret Scott said: “This appears to be to rooted in a dispute between you and Mr Mcgregor and his relatives.
“You saw him, turned the car, accelerated and drove at him.
“You then mounted the pavement and then drove into him and, having done so, carried on to the children.
“Six of them were thrown in the air like skittles. Two were hit with such force that they were carried over a parked car.
“Your conduct was entirely and utterly reckless and exceptionally serious.”
The children had been “laughing and joking” outside shops when Mr Mcgregor walked nearby.
They were struck by the silver Vauxhall Astra during the attack, which reached 26mph.
When attempting to flea the scene, Gavan reversed into a girl which saw her unable to get up.
The 14-year-old suffered a broken neck and required surgery, which Lady Scott described as a “significant ordeal which she has tackled with courage”.
Mr Mcgregor, 21, and the other youngsters caught up in the hit-and-run suffered minor injuries.
It was heard the children and their families had been left traumatised by the incident.
Gavan’s lawyer said it was “little more than good fortune” there were no more serious physical injuries.
Gavan, who pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the children and the man last month, was given an 11-year sentence. He also received a 15-year driving ban.