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Killer admits murder by crashing into man in car

Police Scotland A police handout image of a smiling Michael Beaton, who has short brown hair and stubblePolice Scotland
Michael Beaton died in hospital after being found with serious injuries

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to murdering a man by deliberately crashing into him with a car in Greenock.

Richard Mullan hit Michael Beaton after mounting a pavement in the town's Drumfrochar Road on 26 November 2023.

Mr Beaton, 35, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow but died later the same day from his injuries.

Mullan's lawyer pleaded guilty to the murder charge on his behalf at the High Court in Glasgow.

Forensic experts in white overalls are seen near a car and a police van on Drumfrochar Road in Greenock. The area has been cordoned off with police tape
The car mounted the pavement on Drumfrochar Road in Greenock before smashing into Mr Beaton

Co-accused Lewis Wiggins, 23, had faced the same charge but his not guilty plea was accepted by prosecutors.

Another man, 26-year-old Alexander McQuillan, faces a separate charge of murdering Mr Beaton.

It is claimed, while Mr Beaton was lying on the ground after being hit by the car, Mr McQuillan repeatedly struck him on the head with a machete or similar weapon.

Among other allegations he faces is a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

This includes a claim that he stole Mr Beaton's car and left it at a car park before changing his clothes.

Mr McQuillan's KC Angela Gray pleaded not guilty on his behalf.

He will now face a trial in November 2025. Sentencing for Mullan was adjourned until then.