Family of teen killed by former Celtic B team player speak of their 'devastating' loss

The family of a teenager killed in a drunk-driving hit and run by a former Celtic B team player have spoken about the “devastating” loss of the “kind and caring young man” ahead of a sentencing decision on Friday.

Ciaran Dickson struck Aidan Pilkington, 18, while he was crossing the road in Anniesland on September 11, 2021.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who is also an ex-Rangers youth, dragged the teenager along the ground with his rented Mercedes before fleeing the scene and abandoning his car close to his home.

Dickson pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at the High Court in Glasgow in January.

In a statement through their solicitors Morton Fraser MacRoberts, the Pilkington family said: “Nothing can bring back Aidan or fill the tremendous void his death has left us with.

“Aidan was a very kind and caring young man, and he was recognised and respected for this. He was looking forward to a bright future at Dundee University and we were looking forward to sharing it with him. The loss of his life has been devastating, particularly to all who knew and loved him.

“The driver who killed Aidan behaved very dangerously over several hours. He had many opportunities to do the right thing that night, but instead he chose to completely disregard the safety of all road users. The damage he has done to our lives is utterly devastating and immeasurable.

“We continue to appreciate the kindness and support of our family, friends and community.”

Ciaran Dickson was on the Celtic B team at the time of the incident. SNS Group

The family thanked Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and asked that their privacy is respected.

During the trial, the court heard Dickson had visited the Duck Bay Marina restaurant in Loch Lomond with a friend on the night of the incident where he drank a pint of lager and a bottle of Corona before driving to a pool club in Glasgow city centre.

CCTV from the bar confirmed he drank a further two pints of lager before driving to The Black Horse bar where he consumed three pints of the strong cocktail venom topped up with an extra measure of vodka.

He struck Aidan at around midnight on Crow Road while travelling between 64 and 71 miles per hour and then fled the scene.

He abandoned his vehicle and was later found to have ran 178 metres back to his home which was discovered after his fitness watch was seized by police.

Dickson handed himself into police the next day and he was released pending an investigation.

He gave a no comment interview to officers in February 2022 and in June he was finally arrested.

A post-mortem examination was carried out which revealed major external injuries to Aidan’s head and trunk.

Aidan suffered bruising and wounds to his forehead, scalp, eye and cheek.

There was also a full thickness wound to the back of his head surrounded by bruising.

Further injuries included to the abdomen and pelvis as well as a number of rib fractures.

An internal examination revealed a large skull fracture which was associated with a small amount of bleeding on the surface of the brain.

Pathologists considered that a brain injury might be responsible for the “very rapid death”.

Aidan was taken to hospital where he remained unresponsive after the incident and was pronounced dead at 1.55am.

Dickson’s previous convictions include careless driving from December 2020 when he was hit with three penalty points.

He was also convicted of a domestic incident in April 2023 when he was ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.

Dickson – who was tipped for first team football – was released by Celtic having scored two goals in his first two appearances for the B team.