Taxi driver to stand trial accused of running down and killing amateur footballer
Derek McClinton is alleged to have murdered 24-year-old Craig Kearney in 2017
A taxi driver is to stand trial charged with running down and murdering an amateur footballer in East Kilbride.
Derek McClinton is accused of killing Craig Kearney on March 5 2017.
Prosecutors claim McClinton hit the 24 year-old with his car, knocked him to the ground before driving over his head and body.
It is alleged the 49 year-old then failed to get medical help and left Craig lying injured on the road in the dark.
Craig – who had played for AFC Bonnyholm in Glasgow's Pollok – later died.
McClinton, also of East Kilbride, faces a separate charge of then attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The includes a claim he “continued in the course of (his) employment as a private hire taxi driver” in the car afterwards.
This is said to have allowed “video footage” taken by a device in the vehicle to be erased.
The charge also states McClinton washed the car in “an attempt to destroy evidence”.
Donald Findlay, defending, pled not guilty on his behalf during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.
The QC added he was ready for a trial to be set.
Prosecutor Liam Ewing QC told the court: “The estimate for length of trial is 10 days.”
Lord Arthurson set a trial due to begin in October. Bail for McClinton was continued meantime.
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