A promising young footballer from Erskine has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a pedestrian in a drink-driving hit and run incident that occurred two years ago. Ciaran Dickson, 22, struck 18-year-old Aidan Pilkington in Glasgow’s Anniesland on September 11, 2021. Dickson had consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel and drove at high speed, dragging Aidan along the ground. He then fled the scene and abandoned his rented Mercedes car near his home. Sadly, Aidan succumbed to significant head injuries sustained during the incident. Dickson, who was employed by Celtic’s B team at the time, admitted to causing death by dangerous driving in the High Court in Glasgow.
The court heard that on the night of the incident, Dickson went to the Duck Bay Marina restaurant in Loch Lomond with a friend and consumed a pint of lager and a bottle of Corona. Afterward, he drove to a pool club in Glasgow city center, where he drank two more pints of lager. He then went to The Black Horse bar and consumed three pints of the strong cocktail venom, which was mixed with an extra measure of vodka. Meanwhile, Aidan, who was out with friends, had left a pub around 11:30 p.m. and was crossing the road on Crow Road when the collision occurred.
Witnesses described hearing a loud bang and a thud, and Aidan was found unconscious on the ground with blood coming from his mouth and ears. Despite receiving CPR at the scene, he was pronounced dead in the hospital. Dickson, on the other hand, fled at high speed, estimated to be around 50 to 70 miles per hour, before abandoning his vehicle. He was later found to have run 178 meters back to his home. Damage to the car and the missing Mercedes Benz badge were found, and Dickson turned himself into the police the following day.
During investigation, it was discovered that Aidan suffered severe external injuries, including head wounds, as well as internal injuries such as rib fractures and a large skull fracture. The cause of death was determined to be a severe head injury consistent with a road traffic collision. Collision investigators estimated that Dickson was traveling between 64 and 71 miles per hour at the time of the incident. Forensic analysis revealed that he was over three times the legal drink-drive limit.
In court, Thomas Ross KC, the defense lawyer, acknowledged the pain caused to Aidan’s family and friends and recognized that Dickson deserved a prison sentence. The tragic loss of a young life due to the actions of a drunk driver serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from such irresponsible behavior. The case highlights the importance of making responsible decisions when consuming alcohol and reinforces the need for strict measures to discourage drink-driving and improve road safety.
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