A thug who drove over and killed a man following an earlier row about a funeral has been jailed for nine years. Jordan Cunningham, 28, mowed down Adam Anderson in his Audi A4 at a car park in Broomhill Court, Greenock, Inverclyde on January 2, 2022.
The killing was sparked after Mr Anderson's friend Paul Dowds was assaulted by Cunningham and others the previous day. This was after the pal had not turned up for the funeral of a mutual friend.
After the clash in the car park, Mr Anderson, 22, was tragically crushed to death with Cunningham speeding off and then torching his car. Cunningham was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday having earlier admitted to a charge of culpable homicide.
Lady Drummond also ordered he be supervised for a further three years on his release. Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy KC earlier told how there had been an "ongoing personal feud" between the men and their associates.
The original reason was unknown, but the killing is thought to have been "triggered" by the attack on Paul Dowds. He had turned up on January 1 at the block in Greenock where Cunningham lived to visit someone.
Miss Glancy: "He was asked to enter the flat of Cunningham by him and two others. He was challenged as to why he had not attended the funeral of their mutual friend."
As he left, Mr Dowd was then punched and kicked by the group. Mr Dowd later told his friend Mr Anderson what happened. The victim said: "They are all dafties that lot".
The court heard Cunningham's Audi later ended up damaged. Cunningham was spotted in his motor at the car park on the afternoon of January 2. Mr Anderson and a friend were then seen by witnesses running "full pelt" towards Cunningham.
Mr Anderson was described as being on a "collision course" with the Audi. Cunningham went on to strike him with the vehicle, drove over him before racing out of the car park. An ambulance was called for the victim, but he had a cardiac arrest.
He also suffered severe blunt force trauma to the chest, head and stomach area. Mr Anderson had multiple fractures to his pelvis and ribs with one tearing into his lung.
Cunningham went on to torch his Audi at a dirt track at Donnies Farm in Greenock. He told an associate what happened at the car park insisting Mr Anderson and the other man had been armed.
Cunningham also pled guilty to the assault on Mr Dowds and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Brian McConnachie KC, defending, said: "It does seem to be the situation that what started out as a relatively minor dispute has resulted in the death of a young man and another facing custody."
The defence advocate added any initial row did not involve either Cunningham or the victim, but others linked to them.
Sentencing, Lady Drummond said: "You hit Mr Anderson with your car knocking him to the ground and drove over him. You drove off at speed and then set fire to your car to try and cover up your actions.
"I have read statements from Mr Anderson's mother and brother. She said her world fell apart into a million pieces."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
