Driver Allan Mackie admits causing Mary McNeill's death
A Fife street cleaner who reversed over an OAP and dragged her along the road, which killed her, has admitted causing death by careless driving.
Mary McNeill, 76, was struck by the council vehicle in Moray Way North, Dalgety Bay on 23 May 2013.
Mrs McNeill, from Dalgety Bay, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Allan Mackie, 45, from Leven, said he was "deeply remorseful" and apologised to family and friends through his defence advocate.
Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard he had pulled across a road in Dalgety Bay when he noticed a bin bag blowing in the street.
He began to reverse as Mrs McNeill, who was in the town shopping, began to cross Moray Way.
She was struck by the nearside of the Ford Transit pick-up truck, run over by the rear left wheel then dragged down the street for a short distance.
State of shock
Fiscal depute Claire Bremner told the court: "She would have been visible in the near side mirror prior to the impact.
"She would have been visible for three to four seconds behind the vehicle."
Ms Bremner said a passing nurse had found a strong pulse in Mrs McNeill's neck which grew gradually weaker.
When she stopped breathing CPR was started and other members of the public stopped to give assistance, however it became apparent she had died.
The cause of death was recorded as multiple chest injuries.
The court heard that Mackie had been taken to hospital in an ambulance in a severe state of shock.
Defence advocate Barney Ross said: "This is a genuinely tragic case and, for his part, Mr Mackie is deeply remorseful.
"He has instructed me to apologise to the family and friends of those affected by the death of Mary McNeill and extends his condolences to them."
Sheriff Charles Macnair QC deferred sentence for social work background reports, released Mackie on bail and banned him from driving ahead of sentencing in April.
He said: "The Highway Code says anyone driving a vehicle like this without rear view mirrors should have someone behind them keeping a lookout.
"It seems to me this was a deliberate act of reversing in breach of the Highway Code.
"It is incumbent on the driver to make sure there is somebody there."
Speaking after Mrs McNeill's death, her daughter Valerie said her mother was an "active lady who enjoyed the company of family and friends".