Taxi driver ‘mowed down and murdered amateur footballer’

Derek McClinton is accused of murdering Craig Kearney with his car.

Taxi driver ‘mowed down and murdered amateur footballer’ Police ScotlandGoogle Maps

A taxi driver is to stand trial accused of mowing down and murdering an amateur footballer.

Derek McClinton is accused of killing Craig Kearney in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, on March 5, 2017.

Prosecutors claim McClinton hit the 24 year-old with his car, knocked him to the ground and drove over his head and body.

It is alleged the 49 year-old then failed to get medical help and left Mr Kearney lying injured on the road in the dark.

Mr Kearney, who had played for AFC Bonnyholm in Pollok, Glasgow, later died.

McClinton, from East Kilbride, faces a separate charge of then attempting to pervert the course of justice by continuing to work and allowing “video footage” to be erased.

The charge also states McClinton washed the car in “an attempt to destroy evidence”.

Donald Findlay, defending, pleaded not guilty on his client’s behalf at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Lord Arthurson set a trial due to begin in October and McClinton was released on bail.

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