Youth admits knocking down and killing man in stolen car

Published on Thursday 29 July 2010 13:50

An Edinburgh teenager today admitted knocking down and killing a "gentle-natured and loving" father with a stolen car.

Paul Bonnar, 30, was struck in Edinburgh's Walter Scott Avenue in the early hours of Sunday June 7 last year, shortly after he had been celebrating his forthcoming birthday with his wife.

Mr Bonnar, of Alloway Loan, Edinburgh, suffered injuries to his chest, head and legs and died a short time later at the city's Royal Infirmary.

Lee Coyle, 17, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide in relation to the incident when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh today.

The teenager, who was 16 at the time, struck Mr Bonnar with the car, trapped him under the vehicle and continued to drive over him, causing the fatal injuries.

The court heard the incident came after Mr Bonnar was involved in a row with another man, in which he was punched.

Unemployed Coyle – who has four previous convictions including two for road traffic offences – will be sentenced in September.