Twin brothers to stand trial accused of murdering cyclist Tony Parsons

By Grant McCabe

September 27 2022, 3:16 pm

Tony Parsons was allegedly murdered.

Twin brothers are to stand trial next year accused of murdering a cyclist and disposing of his body on an Argyll and Bute estate.

Alexander and Robert McKellar – aged 30 – deny killing Tony Parsons on September 29 2017 near Bridge of Orchy.

Mr Parsons, a former naval petty officer, was reported missing after he failed to return to his Tillicoutry home after a charity cycle ride to Fort William in the Highlands.

His remains were discovered more than three years later in January 2021 in a remote area of ground close to a farm near the A82 at Bridge of Orchy.

It is alleged that Alexander McKellar drove a vehicle at speed while unfit through alcohol on the A82 with his brother Robert as a passenger.

He allegedly struck the 63-year-old who was cycling on the road at the time.

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

Claims they hid body

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 his body in another car.

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

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

Tony Parsons’s body was found after a search near a Highland farm.

Accused of trying to defeat justice

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

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 his bike and personal items. It’s also claimed they stole £60 from Mr Parson’s 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 Tony’s body.

Police searched the Auch Estate between Bridge of Orgy and Tyndrum.

Reported missing by concerned family

Mr Parsons, a former naval petty officer, was reported missing in while on a charity cycle between Clackmannanshire and the Highlands.

His remains were discovered in January 2021 in a remote area of ground close to a farm near the A82 at Bridge of Orchy.

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

Brian McConnachie KC 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.