Twin brothers accused of murdering charity cyclist and burying body to stand trial

Twin brothers are to stand trial charged with murdering a charity cyclist and then burying his body in a grave.

Alexander and Robert McKellar, aged 30, allegedly killed Tony Parsons on September 29, 2017.

The allegation lists the A82 road and the Auch Estate in Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute.

It is said Alexander McKellar drove a vehicle at speed while unfit through alcohol with his brother as a passenger.

He allegedly struck 63 year old Mr Parsons, who was cycling on the road at the time.

Prosecutors claim Mr Parsons was left “seriously injured” with the pair going on to “assault” him and then acting with “wicked and reckless disregard” for the consequences.

It is said the McKellars initially abandoned the ex-navy officer at the side of the road in a dark, remote location amid bad weather conditions.

The vehicle was driven to the Auch Estate before they returned to Mr Parsons’s body in another car.

The McKellars allegedly put him, the bike and other belongings in the vehicle and went back to the Auch Estate.

The murder charge claims Mr Parsons, of Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, was then hidden under tarpaulin there in a wooded area and that he died.

The McKellars – between September 29, 2017 and January 3, 2021 – are separately accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

This includes claims they moved the body from under the tarpaulin to another area of the Auch Estate used for depositing dead animals.

It is said Mr Parsons was buried in a grave there and hidden under animal remains with bleach also poured on his remains.

The McKellars allegedly got rid of the bike and personal items as well as a claim they stole £60 from Mr Parsons’ wallet.

It is said the car which hit the man was also repaired and that they said it had been damaged by striking a deer.

Prosecutors state the brothers did all this to “obstruct and hinder” the police as well as “prevent and delay” the discovery of Mr Parsons’ body.

This allegation lists a number of locations including Bridge of Orchy, Fauldhouse in West Lothian and a garage in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

Alexander McKellar alone faces a charge of causing the death of Mr Parsons by dangerous driving or, alternatively, carelessly while unfit through drink or drugs.

The case called on Tuesday for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Alexander McKellar’s KC Brian McConnachie denied the murder charge on his behalf, but offered to plead guilty to one of the driving offences and a much-reduced attempt to defeat the ends of justice.

But, this was rejected by prosecutor James Irvine.

Robert McKellar’s KC John Scullion pled not guilty for him.

Both the defence advocates and Mr Irvine asked for a trial to be set.

The advocate depute: “It has been suggested the trial would last around nine days.”

Lady Stacey fixed a trial due to begin next July in Glasgow.

Mr Parsons was reportedly on a charity bike ride in September 2017 and his body was discovered in January 2021 by the A82 near a farm in Bridge of Orchy.