Footballer admits killing teenager in drunken hit-and-run

A footballer has pled guilty to killing an 18-year-old pedestrian in a drunken hit-and-run in Glasgow.

Ciaran Dickson, 22, was driving a rented Mercedes when he struck Aidan Pilkington on Crow Road, Anniesland, in September 2021.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the ex-Celtic B-team and Rangers youth player was three times over the alcohol limit after drinking beers and cocktails.

After dragging him along the road, Dickson fled and abandoned his vehicle.

Mr Pilkington suffered significant head injuries and died later in hospital.

Dickson, who was employed by Celtic at the time, was released having scored two goals in his first two appearances.

The midfielder, from Erskine, Renfrewshire, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr Pilkington - who was about to begin his first year at university - had been out with school friends and left a pub at about 23:30.

The court heard his friend Ben Smith saw a vehicle a "distance away" and believed there was enough time to cross the road.

Mr Pilkington followed behind him.

Prosecutor John Keenan KC said: "Mr Smith realised the car was getting closer, faster than he expected.

"He could not estimate the speed of the vehicle, but it caused him to quicken up.

"He was halfway into the lane when he turned around to see if Aidan was following."

Mr Smith said it struck Aidan and he "travelled for around 10 to 15 metres with the car".

Collision investigators believe Dickson was driving between 64 and 71 miles per hour.

Mr Pilkington was also found to have an exposed fractured skull, very shallow breathing and CPR was carried out at the scene by medics.

He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead at about 02:00

Dickson drove off at speed, abandoned his damaged vehicle and was later found to have run back to his home.

He handed himself into police the next day and was released pending an investigation. He was arrested in June 2022.

Thomas Ross KC, defending, said: "Nothing said by Ciaran Dickson can offer comfort to Aidan's family and friends.

"He recognises that he is fully deserving of a sentence of imprisonment."

Sentence was deferred by Judge Lord Colbeck for background reports. Dickson was remanded in custody.