A 22-year-old kitchen porter has been sentenced to six years in prison for the culpable homicide of a father whom he pushed in front of a moving ambulance in Oban, causing fatal injuries. Lewis Budge attacked Robert Bromell, 39, on Corran Esplanade on September 6, 2023.
Mr Bromell sustained severe injuries after being struck by the emergency vehicle and died the following day. The incident occurred while the ambulance was responding to an emergency call, travelling with its blue lights activated.
Budge, from Oban, had previously pled guilty to the culpable homicide of Mr Bromell. He received his sentence at the High Court in Glasgow.
The court heard that Budge deliberately pushed Mr Bromell with both hands onto the road, directly into the path of the oncoming ambulance. The force of the push caused Mr Bromell to lose his balance.
Lord Arthurson, presiding over the case, addressed Budge during sentencing. Lord Arthurson said: “You deliberately pushed your victim using both hands onto the road into the path of the ambulance.”
The judge further criticised Budge’s actions following the incident. Lord Arthurson stated: “Your subsequent conduct of walking away and putting the responsibility onto Mr Bromell for what happened and, apparently doing nothing until you were identified as the perpetrator, are all factors that weigh unfavourably against you.”
The profound impact of Mr Bromell’s death on his family was also highlighted. Lord Arthurson remarked: “Mr Bromell’s sons and family will be forever deprived of his rightful place in their lives. You should understand the terrible consequences of the crime against him are generational in nature and no punishment could ever remedy that awful, dismal truth.”
A female relative of Mr Bromell expressed her anguish as Budge was led from the courtroom. She was heard to say: “You evil b*****d, I hope you rot in hell.”
The events leading up to the tragedy began after both men had left the Markie Dans bar in Oban around 1 am, following its closure. They had been out separately with different groups but had mutual acquaintances.
Prosecutor David McLean KC informed the court that Budge and Mr Bromell were observed conversing at one point. As they walked along a section of the esplanade, a parked pop-top caravan reportedly obstructed their view of the road.
Mr McLean explained how the incident unfolded: “As the ambulance approached, Budge deliberately pushed Mr Bromell on the top half of the front of his body using two hands. It had sufficient force to cause him to lose balance. Budge gave no thought to the surrounding circumstances.”
During the court proceedings, slowed-down CCTV footage of the incident was presented as evidence. This footage captured Budge laying hands on Mr Bromell moments before the collision, contradicting Budge’s initial claim that Mr Bromell had merely “stumbled” into the road.
Mr Bromell attempted to break his fall but ultimately suffered a fatal blow to the head from the ambulance. The paramedic driving the emergency vehicle was not named in court.
The case underscores the severe consequences of impulsive actions and the role of forensic evidence in securing justice within the Scottish legal system. Further information on the High Court of Justiciary can be found on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website.