Drink-driver admits killing cyclist and hiding body near farm with twin brother

A man has admitted to killing a cyclist and burying his body with help from his twin brother.

Tony Parsons, 63, disappeared during a solo charity bike ride in September 2017.

His remains were found in a remote area near a farm at Bridge of Orchy in January 2021.

Twin brothers Alexander and Robert McKellar, 31, were initially accused of murdering Mr Parsons and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The siblings denied murder and were due to stand trial this week at the High Court in Glasgow.

Today advocate depute Alex Prentice KC announced the charges against the brothers had been amended with Alexander then pleading guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

He admitted hitting Mr Parsons, from Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire, with a vehicle while driving at excess speed and over the drink-drive limit on 29 September 2017.

Robert, who was a passenger in the motor, was acquitted of killing Mr Parsons after his not guilty plea was accepted by the Crown.

Both brothers pleaded guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

in another vehicle, into which they placed the cyclist along with his bicycle and other belongings.

They moved him to woods in Auch Estate, before then moving his body to another location which was used to dispose of dead animals.

There, they dug a grave and buried him, as well as disposing of his belongings.

They pretended the damage caused to their car had been due to striking a deer and sought to conceal that Mr Parsons had been struck by it.

After the pleas were accepted on Wednesday, Judge Lord Armstrong said the matter would be continued to the same court on Friday as prosecution and defence agree a joint narrative.

Lord Armstrong adjourned the case until Friday.

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