Teenage car thief a 'cold, callous killer'

Published on Tuesday 7 September 2010 11:16

A CAR thief who killed a man in a hit and run crash has been branded a "cold and callous" killer.

Lee Coyle, 17, was today beginning an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence following the death of Paul Bonnar in Walter Scott Avenue last June.

Mr Bonnar, 30, of Alloway Loan, in the Inch, was struck in the early hours of June 7 last year, suffering injuries to his chest, head and legs. Coyle, who was 16 at the time, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and was sentenced yesterday.

The court heard the killing came after Mr Bonnar had become involved in a row with a group of men. Some members of the group later got into the stolen Mitsubishi Evo, driven by Coyle, of Lady Nairn Crescent, and pursued him.

Detective Chief Inspector Amanda McGrath said: "He made the cold and callous decision to use the vehicle as a weapon, resulting in Paul Bonnar's tragic death."