A driver jailed for nine years for using a stolen car in a multiple murder bid in Perthshire has failed to have his prison sentence cut.
Charlie Tunstall, 25, repeatedly reversed the VW Golf GTI at mechanics on a garage forecourt and struck one, seriously injuring him.
The Londoner had denied committing the offence, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity but was found guilty after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh last year.
Tunstall was convicted of attempting to murder Robert and Owen McMahon, Robert MacDonald and Ewan Burt on January 14 2019 at Bob’s Mechanical Repairs, Perth Road, Birnam.
Mr Burt was struck by the Golf and thrown backwards into the air, landing on concrete and suffering head injuries.
The Courier previously told how Mr Burt could only return to work six months later.
The trial judge, Lord Mulholland, told Tunstall: “You used the vehicle as a weapon.
“Your conduct that day was despicable.”
The judge ordered Tunstall should start serving the sentence at the completion of a six year and nine month jail term imposed on him in England in 2019 for conspiracy to rob.
Appeal failure
Lawyers acting for Tunstall went to the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh claiming the sentence imposed was “excessive”.
His counsel Fred Mackintosh KC said Tunstall was only 21 when he committed the attacks but will be in his thirties when the combined sentence of the English and Scottish courts finishes.
He said while protection of the public is always a significant factor in attempted murder sentencing, that would be substantially met while Tunstall is in prison in England, so the nine-year term was excessive.
But Lord Pentland, who heard the appeal with Lord Matthews, said they were not persuaded.
He said it had been noted Tunstall had a bad record of previous offending and was assessed as presenting a high risk of harm to members of the public.
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