Man, 22, admits trying to kill six children in hit-and-run that left teenage girl with a broken neck
A 22-year-old man has admitted trying to kill six children in a hit-and-run that left one teenage girl with a broken neck.
Gerald Gavan ploughed into the youngsters, aged between 12 and 14, on a pavement in the Castlemilk area of Glasgow, on the afternoon of Saturday March 24.
Gavan, 22, drove at the innocent youngsters in a silver Vauxhall Astra as he targeted Billy McGregor, who was standing nearby.
It is believed that Gavan and Mr McGregor were involved in a long-running dispute that is linked to the 2017 murder of Jamie Lee in the area.
A 14-year-old girl caught up in the hit-and-run was thrown into the air and was so seriously injured that she had to have immediate surgery.
She later had a titanium plate attached to her spine to aid her recovery and spent around two weeks in hospital.
She is expected to make a full recovery.
Mr McGregor, 21, and the other youngsters caught up in the hit-and-run suffered minor injuries.
At the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, Gavan pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the youngsters and the man.
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Prosecutor Maryam Labaki said: ‘In striking him with the vehicle – when immediately in front of the children – Gavan had no opportunity to brake in time.
‘His actions amounted to wicked recklessness in respect of the children.’
Gavan will be sentenced on September 25.
Details of the plea were confirmed following the case by police and court officials.
Detective Inspector Peter Sharp said: ‘Gerald Gavan has today finally admitted his guilt following a number of months where he tried to evade justice in a cowardly manner.
‘This incident which unfolded in the afternoon of Saturday March 24 in Castlemilk was something which will no doubt stay in the minds of the young victims for a long time.
‘The injuries sustained by the 14-year-old girl were so serious that she required immediate surgery.
‘Thankfully she survived, however the consequences could have been much, much worse.’
He continued: ‘For anyone to play out retribution or aggression in a public area using a vehicle as a weapon will simply not be tolerated.
‘For innocent members of the public to be caught up in this horrendous incident is unacceptable.
‘I hope that the fact Gavan has pled guilty has spared the victim’s families the torment of a trial.’
