Driver admits killing charity cyclist then burying body

A drink-driver has admitted killing charity cyclist Tony Parsons and burying his body to cover up the crime.

Alexander McKellar, 31, was speeding and had been drinking when he caused Mr Parsons' death.

He and twin brother Robert McKellar admitted trying to defeat the ends of justice by hiding the body in a grave in the Auch Estate near Bridge of Orchy in September 2017.

Mr Parsons' remains were not found until January 2021.

His family said it had been "heartbreaking" to live with so many unanswered questions over the six years since he went missing.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how Alexander McKellar collided with Mr Parsons on the A82 between Bridge of Orchy and Tyndrum on 29 September 2017.

McKellar did not seek medical assistance for the 63-year-old at the roadside.

The damaged car involved in the killing was dumped at the nearby Auch Estate along with the brothers' phones.

They then returned in a truck to where Mr Parsons was still lying.

He was placed into the vehicle along with his bike and other personal belongings.

The brothers went back to the Auch Estate and initially hid Mr Parsons' body in a part of the woods.

He was later taken to another location used for "the purposes of disposing dead animals".

The brothers then dug a grave and buried Mr Parsons along with his personal possessions.

Prosecutors said the brothers got help trying to repair the car used in the killing, claiming it had been damaged when it hit a deer.

The two men had been due to stand trial accused of Mr Parsons' murder.

But Alexander McKellar pled guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

His brother had his not guilty plea to murder accepted.

The pair both admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Mr Parsons was last seen in September 2017 outside the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.

He then continued cycling south along the A82 in the direction of Tyndrum, but there were no further sightings.

Extensive searches were carried out in the area, involving local mountain rescue teams, volunteers, Police Scotland dogs and the force's air support unit.

His remains were eventually found in a remote area in January 2021.

Mr Parsons' family were at the High Court in Glasgow to hear the guilty plea.

In a statement, they described him as "a much-loved husband, dad and grandad".

They said: "When he said goodbye and set off on his charity cycle from Fort William that Friday, none of us expected it to be the last time we would be able to see or speak to him.

"Throughout the six years since he went missing and then the subsequent criminal investigation, we had been left with many unanswered questions and it has been heartbreaking for each and every member of the family being unable to get these answers.

"As you can imagine, not knowing what has happened to someone and then the devastating news that we were provided has taken its toll on all of us as a family."

The case will continue on Friday.