A COMMUNITY has been left devastated after a pensioner was murdered as he tried to stop his car being stolen from his front drive.

Jimmy Simpson, 76, was knocked down and killed by his own car after he confronted thieves outside his home in Ashgill, South Lanarkshire, on Tuesday night.

The pensioner had been enjoying a peaceful night at home with his wife Minnie, 72, when he suffered severe injuries and died in the roadway.

Detectives, who described the incident as a "theft gone terribly wrong", have launched a murder inquiry.

Mr Simpson's friend Stuart Beveridge, 21, said yesterday: "My friend who stays across the road from Jimmy phoned me and told me Jimmy had been run over as somebody tried to steal his car.

"I was just gutted. I can remember him being at parties, looking so happy, joking away, and it's hard to think that he's gone now.

"Jimmy was a great man. He was a really good laugh, full of fun, and was very well respected by the community. It's a small town and everyone knew him so everyone has been left devastated by the news."

Mr Beveridge added: "He's worked hard for everything he's got and I'm sure he thought that he wasn't letting somebody take it off him.

"I just can't believe that a man of Jimmy's age, living peacefully with his wife, has had to end his life like this. It's disgusting."

Another friend, Gary Miller, 31, added: "Jimmy was the nicest guy you could ever meet. A quiet gentleman."

Both men said that Mr Simpson, believed to be a former bus driver, took great pride in his car and was often seen cleaning and polishing it. The black Land Rover Discovery was later found in Crossford, Lanarkshire, just an hour after the incident.

Detective Inspector Robbie Allan, the senior investigating officer, yesterday said the car may have been targeted because of its high value.

Mr Allan added: "Inquiries are at an early stage, however, I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the initial incident, or who may have seen this black Land Rover Discovery being driven from Ashgill to where it was later found in the Crossford area around 9.30pm to come forward.

"I am aware that the public will be shocked by this crime and I want to reassure the local community that we are doing everything possible to bring to justice the persons responsible.

"There will be additional patrols in the area and anyone with any concerns should speak to these officers."

Detective Inspector David Tussie urged those responsible to hand themselves in. He said: "Mr Simpson was sitting innocently in his house with his wife and by merely trying to protect his property was killed.

"This was a terrible theft that's gone terribly wrong.

"The persons responsible may not have set out to commit murder but their wilful actions have resulted in a murder and my best advice to them would be to search your conscience, get a lawyer and hand yourself in."

Last night, police forensic teams searched the local area while officers viewed CCTV at a garage in Crossford.

Ashgill resident Roberta Meikle, 63, who attended the same church as Mrs Simpson, said her heart went out to the former school teacher.

She said: "She's lost her husband, her companion in life. It's a tragedy and I really hope they catch whoever did this."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Jimmy would do anything for anybody. I only wish he had just thought 'my life's worth more than a car'."