A STREET cleaner has admitted reversing over an elderly women and dragging her to her death along a road under his vehicle.

 

Allan Mackie pulled across a road when he noticed a bin bag blowing in the street in Dalgety Bay, Fife.

He then began to reverse as shopper Mary McNeill began to cross the road.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard yesterday (mon) Mackie's Ford Transit pick up struck the 76-year-old on its nearside.

She was run over by the rear left wheel of the vehicle then dragged down the street for a short distance.

Fiscal depute Claire Bremner told the court: "She would have been visible in the near side mirror prior to the impact.

"She would have been visible for three to four seconds behind the vehicle.

"She was struck by the vehicle and knocked to the ground.

"The vehicle continued reversing and the left rear wheel ran over her.

"She was dragged along the roadway in an easterly direction."

The court heard a passer-by spotted her legs on the roadway.  The woman stopped and spoke to the accused who was in his cab and said: "I didn't see her."

He was holding his mobile phone and the woman said to call emergency services.

A passing nurse felt the victim's pulse, but it grew weaker and she stopped breathing. Attempts to revive her through CPR also failed.

Mackie, 45, of , Leven, Fife, pleaded guilty to causing Mrs McNeill's death by dangerous driving on May 23 2013.

Defence advocate Barney Ross said: "This is a genuinely tragic case and for his part Mr Mackie is deeply remorseful.

"He has instructed me to apologise to the family and friends of those affected by the death of Mary McNeill and extends his condolences to them."

Sheriff Charles Macnair QC deferred sentence for social work reports.

He said a 'deliberate' act in reversing in breach of the Highway Code had been committed.