Takeaway driver killed as he called police over 'feral' gang

• Simon San, who was on the phone to police when punched

Simon San, 40, was on the phone to the police, reporting the gang for rocking his car, when John Reid, 16, stepped forward and struck him on the face. He went down and hit his head on the pavement with a "sickening thud" and never regained consciousness.

A judge was told there appeared to have been no reason to pick on Mr San's vehicle, other than it was a Smart car. Lord Matthews described the behaviour of the youths as "unacceptable feral activity".

Mr San's family wept as details of his death were given to the High Court in Edinburgh. They believe he was the victim of a racially motivated attack. They said in a statement: "The San family will never stop grieving for the loss of their much-loved innocent son and brother. He was a hard-working, loyal young man who never caused anyone any harm. The family have a number of questions and concerns and will meet with Lothian and Borders Police."

Reid, of Ferry Road Drive, Edinburgh, admitted the culpable homicide of Mr San on 11 August at Lochend Road, Edinburgh. He will be sentenced next month.

Mr San, born in Vietnam of Chinese origin, had come to Scotland as a boy. He was single and stayed with his parents, and worked as a delivery driver for his sister who ran a Chinese takeaway in Lochend Road.

The advocate-depute, Alex Prentice, QC, said Mr San returned to the restaurant at about 10pm and his Smart car was surrounded by youths and rocked while he was still in it. He managed to get out and he phoned the police. He was heard to say "Whoa, whoa" and the line went dead.

A witness, Callum Milne, 46, described a group of about six males surrounding Mr San and forcing him backwards towards a wall. Reid delivered a fierce punch to Mr San's jaw, and the phone flew out of his grasp. Members of the group shouted and cheered.

"He did not stagger, he fell straight down. The back of his head connected with a flat section of the pavement. I would describe the noise as a sickening thud. He was lying on his back and did not move. I knew straight away he was in trouble," said Mr Milne.

Reid walked casually back into the crowd and the youths fled. Mr Milne put the injured man into the recovery position. He was bleeding heavily from the head and his eyes were rolling. An ambulance took him to hospital, but he was declared dead the following morning.After the attack, Reid had gone to a nearby flat and the mother of one of the boys saw him punch his fist into his hand, while stating: "I just sort of went like that to him on the temple."

Mr San was the youngest of five siblings and Mr Prentice said his quiet and unassuming family had been greatly shocked and distressed by his death.

"They are strongly of the view that the attack was racially motivated, but police investigation has not found evidence to support that," said Mr Prentice.

The defence solicitor-advocate, Jim Stephenson, said Reid had gone with a friend to the Lochend area for the first time that night.

"He never intended Mr San should die. He will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life," said Mr Stephenson.

"The only explanation he can tender is he wanted to be accepted by the group who were present that night, and stupidly carried out the assault."