Murder bid charge is not proven

Brian Hossack • Published 24 Feb 2010 14:00

A MAN charged with trying to murder a 26-year-old woman by running her down with his car has walked free from court.

A jury at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday took just 50 minutes to find the attempted murder charge against Edward Boyle, 35, not proven.

Boyle, of Banff Road, Greenock, was seen to say 'thank you' in the direction of jurors at the conclusion of the four-day trial before Judge Mark Stewart QC.

The court heard how Boyle allegedly ran the woman down after a fracas outside a property in Greenock's Nairn Road last October.

Two of the victim's relatives claimed they saw the accused's car plough through a garden fence and into the 26-year-old.

Boyle claimed he was trying to escape in fear of his life as the three women attacked his car after a row over a house fire weeks before.

The final day of evidence saw prosecutor Peter Ferguson QC tell the jury there was sufficient evidence to find Boyle guilty of attempted murder. He said: "The court has heard clear evidence of a car being revved and we have heard from three women who saw the vehicle aimed and used as a weapon.

"You have to decide if the fact this woman was left with just bruising rather than breaks was because she managed to avoid being seriously injured by the car.

"Maybe this and the fact she escaped with her life were just good fortune. That is for you to decide."

Mr Ferguson also asked the jury to question whether Boyle fleeing the scene then failing to give his account of the incident to police were the actions of an innocent man.

Defence QC Thomas Ross suggested the complainer, her mum, 42, and her 18-year-old sister had lied in a bid to have Boyle convicted.

He added: "You have heard evidence from a doctor to say any injuries suffered by the complainer were consistent with a fall.

"Even when she was giving evidence, and was asked about being hit by the car, she said she imagined it 'struck her somewhere about the legs'. A strange thing for someone who has been run down to say, in my submission.

"We also heard from police as to how gouges and scratches were found on Mr Boyle's Peugeot, consistent with it being hit by a sharp object, while other witnesses said they saw one of the women carrying something silvery."

Following consideration of the evidence, the 15-strong jury returned a not proven majority verdict

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 24 Feb 10

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