Man admits trying to kill six children in hit and run
A man has pleaded guilty to attempting to kill six children in a horrific hit-and-run attack in Glasgow.
Gerald Gavan, 22, drove a car on to the pavement and ploughed into the youngsters in Castlemilk after initially trying to murder Billy Mcgregor as part of a bitter feud.
He then reversed over a 14-year-old girl, who sustained a broken neck and required extensive surgery.
Gavan – a carpet salesman from East Kilbride – was remanded in custody over the 24 March attack.
A man tried to kill six children in a horrific hit-and-run after they innocently became caught up in a bitter feud.
Gerald Gavan ploughed into the youngsters having initially driven at his target Billy Mcgregor in Glasgow’s Castlemilk.
Gavan and Mr Mcgregor have links to opposing sides connected to the murder of Jamie Lee in the area in July 2017. A judge yesterday watched graphic footage of the children being thrown into the air as the 22-year-old hit both them and Mcgregor.
One 14-year-old girl – over whom Gavan also reversed – suffered a broken neck and required lengthy surgery.
Gavan pled guilty to attempting to murder the six youngsters on 24 March this year.
The carpet salesman, of East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, also admitted trying to kill Mr Mcgregor in the same incident.
He was remanded in custody at the High Court in Glasgow pending sentencing next month.
Prosecutor Maryam Labaki said the background to this crime was a “family feud” involving a “fatality”.
She added: “Gavan is associated with one side of that dispute.”
Gavan’s former co-accused Gary Owen – who had not guilty pleas accepted – is a relative of Jordan Owen, wanted in connection with the play park shooting of Jamie Lee.
The hit and run occurred after Mr Mcgregor – also known as William Dearie – had gone to a local shop at about 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 at him. Miss Labaki said: “The car accelerated and steered towards Billy Mcgregor travelling diagonally and mounting the pavement.”
He failed in trying to dodge the car but Gavan then carried on into the children on the pavement.