The family of a charity cyclist who was killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver and buried in a shallow grave have won six-figure compensation.
Alexander McKellar, 33, left Tony Parsons, 63, for dead after knocking him off his bike in rural Argyll following a drinking session at a nearby hotel.
McKellar then returned with his twin brother Robert to remove the body and bury it in a swamp on the estate where they worked.
Mr Parsons' remains were found in 2021, four years after he disappeared near Bridge of Orchy after McKellar admitted killing him and hiding his body from his then fiancée Caroline Muirhead.
The compensation claim was against McKellar and was paid by the insurer of the car he was driving at the time of the cyclist's death.
The case was settled out of court last week. The exact amount paid has not been disclosed.
Gordon Dalyell, partner at Digby Brown Solicitors, said: “I can confirm that the civil proceedings for the Parsons family have been concluded.
Tony Parsons was left for dead after Alexander McKellar knocked him off his bike in rural Argyll
Undated family ceremony photo released by Police Scotland of Alexander McKellar
Alexander's twin brother Robert helped him remove Tony's body and bury it in a swamp on the estate where they worked
Undated award photo released by the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service of a can of Red Bull found where the body of charity cyclist Tony Parsons was left after he died in a collision on September 29, 2017
“The manner in which Tony died was horrific and the pain of his loss understandably continues to cause immense distress to his loved ones.
“While compensation will not in any way cure the pain, it will help protect the future of his family members.
“I commend the strength of the Parsons family throughout this time as they try to move on with their lives.”
In August 2023, McKellar was jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Parsons and attempting to pervert the course of justice by concealing his body.
His twin brother also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice and was sentenced to five years in prison at the same hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
Undated award photo released by the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service of the car involved in the collision with charity cyclist Tony Parsons on September 29, 2017
Mr Parsons went missing in September 2017 while taking part in a charity cycle after battling prostate cancer.
He planned to drive all night to complete the 100 mile journey from Fort William back to his home in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire.
The court was told his body would probably never have been found if Mrs Muirhead had not come forward.
