Edinburgh van driver killed top academic after mounting kerb while looking at phone
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An Edinburgh van driver under the influence of cannabis killed a leading academic out walking in the street.
Darren Gilmour, 42, had also been occupied with his mobile phone when he hit Dr William Noel after mounting the kerb in Trinity Crescent, Edinburgh on April 10 2024.
Dr Noel tragically never recovered and died a fortnight later in hospital.
The 58-year-old had been visiting the capital to purchase rare books for Princeton University in Pennsylvania in the USA, where he was the Associate Librarian for Special Collections.
Gilmour pleaded guilty to the causing the death of the Cambridge University graduate by dangerous driving on Friday. He will be sentenced next month.
Dr Noel - originally from Yorkshire - had been with two colleagues during the visit to Scotland. The trio had been walking on the pavement back to their hotel when tragedy struck around 6pm that evening.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC told the High Court in Glasgow: "As Gilmour drove his Citroen Relay van, he was under the influence of cannabis and was interacting with his telephone, which was not connected to a hands-free system.
(Image: University of Cambridge)
"He failed to pay attention to the road ahead causing the vehicle to leave the road in the direction of WIlliam Noel and his companions."
The advocate depute added the van went up onto the pavement, initially clipped one of the academic's friends before hitting Dr Noel from behind.
He was lifted onto the bonnet, struck the windscreen before landing on the ground. An off-duty doctor out walking her dog as well as a passing nurse immediately ran to help.
Dr Noel was then rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The victim's wife back in Pennsylvania was contacted and she flew over to Scotland to be with her husband. Dr Noel's brother also arrived from London.
But, on April 29, he sadly passed away due to suffering severe head trauma as a result of the collision.
The court heard cabinet maker Gilmour had been found to have 2.4mg of THC from cannabis use per one litre of blood. The legal limit is 2mg.
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Gilmour's KC Tony Graham said on Friday: "If he could do anything to take back what happened on that date, he would, but, of course, he cannot.
"He appreciates words uttered may seem cheap, but he does offer an apology to those bereaved."
Gilmour, of Dalkeith, Midlothian, had been on bail, but Mr Graham did not move for that to be continued. Lord Cubie remanded him in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports.
The judge: "Nothing the court can say can possibly compensate the loss caused.
"This offence appears to have arisen as a direct consequence of your lack of concentration, more concerned with your mobile phone than the road and potentially affected by drug consumption."
Dr Noel specialised in the study of Medieval and Renaissance European books.
He was described in court as a "highly regarded academic" and "very well known" having hosted TED talks and many public speaking events.
Dr Noel had also previously been honoured by the Obama administration for his commitment to open science.
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