Alexander McKellar sentenced: Killer driver who hid cyclist Tony Parsons' body jailed for 12 years
Alexander McKellar struck charity cyclist Tony Parsons with a car in September 2017, before hiding his body in a remote peat bog. His twin brother, Robert, helped him cover up the crime. Mr Parsons' body was eventually recovered in January 2021 after a woman's revelation.
Friday 25 August 2023 11:52, UK
A man who killed a cyclist and then hid his body for years with the help of his twin brother has been jailed for 12 years.
Alexander McKellar, 31, last month admitted causing the death of Tony Parsons, 63, after striking him with a vehicle on the A82 near Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute, in September 2017.
Alexander buried Mr Parsons' body in a remote peat bog and disposed of evidence linking him to the fatal collision.
His twin brother, Robert, helped him cover up the crime.
Robert, who pleaded guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice along with his sibling, was sentenced to five years and three months behind bars.
The pair were caught after Alexander confessed to his then girlfriend years after Mr Parsons' death and took her to the grave site.
The woman left a can of Red Bull as a marker and then reported it to police.
Mr Parsons' remains were eventually recovered on the remote Auch Estate in January 2021.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that his body would most likely never have been found had it not been for the woman's revelation.
Lord Armstrong said the death and cover-up caused Mr Parsons' family to "suffer devastating loss and emotional harm" that is still ongoing.
During sentencing on Friday, the judge said: "There is nothing I can say or do to compensate for their loss."
Defending Alexander, Brian McConnachie KC said his client "deeply regrets the trauma he has put the family through".
Mr McConnachie said Alexander "embarked on a course of action that would change his life and many others forever".
He explained that Alexander acted out of "fear and panic", adding: "Fear for himself and panic for the situation he found himself in."
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The brothers were due to stand trial last month accused of murder.
Alexander McKellar, also known as Sandy, instead pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.
The siblings both admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice by covering up the crime.
The court heard how cancer survivor Mr Parsons was struck by an Isuzu D-Max pick-up during a 100-mile solo charity bike ride from Fort William to his home in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire.
The collision happened during heavy rain at around 11pm on 29 September 2017.
The McKellars, who were self-employed farm workers, were driving home from the Bridge of Orchy Hotel following dinner with a hunting group.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC told the court the brothers were witnessed drinking alcohol.
Shortly before being struck, Mr Parsons had stopped at the hotel for a cup of coffee.
The hotel's manager had urged Mr Parsons to stay for the night, but he wished to continue with his charity bike challenge.
Instead of alerting emergency services to get help for the "much-loved husband, dad and grandad", Alexander and Robert left the scene of the crash before returning in another vehicle to collect Mr Parsons' body, bike and belongings.
The body was initially hidden by the pair within the grounds of Auch Estate, near the A82. Alexander then later buried Mr Parsons in a remote peat bog used to dispose of dead animals.
Mr McConnachie described the cover-up as a "runaway train", adding: "It was a sequence of events that would become almost impossible to unravel."
Alexander later told his girlfriend - who had sparked the confession in 2020 after asking if there was anything in his past which could affect their relationship going forward - that they had destroyed Mr Parsons' mobile phone and SIM card and burned his rucksack, wallet and helmet.
His bike was reportedly hidden behind a waterfall and has never been recovered.
The brothers then arranged for repairs to be carried out on the vehicle that struck Mr Parsons and pretended the damage had been caused by a collision with a deer.
Defending Robert, John Scullion KC said his client made a "significant error of judgement" to support his brother.
Robert was said to "bitterly regret" his "callous and cowardly" actions.
Mr McConnachie said Alexander "never held it against" his partner that she went to the police, adding: "He fully accepts she made the right decision in doing so.
"He blames no one but himself."
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The court heard Mr Parsons suffered severe blunt force trauma.
An expert ruled his rib fractures were the most likely cause of death as they would have restricted his breathing.
The pathologist concluded the former Navy petty officer would have died within 20-30 minutes, if not sooner.
His disappearance sparked a major search involving Police Scotland, mountain rescue teams, volunteers and repeated media appeals.
Mr Prentice said police received an anonymous letter in August 2018 that said to "pay attention" to the twins.
Officers interviewed the siblings over Mr Parsons' disappearance, but it was not until Alexander's girlfriend came forward with details of the grave site that the brothers were eventually arrested and charged.