An ex-prisoner has admitted killing a 70-year-old grandfather in a drunken hit-and-run crash in Hamilton.

Gary Gallacher, 37, was using a mobile phone when he hit James Craig on Quarry Street in the South Lanakshire town.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Gallacher - who had convictions for kidnap and dangerous driving - told passengers he could not stop his hired Mercedes as he was "on the run" from police.

Father-of-three Craig died at the scene on 27 October 2024.

Gallacher confessed to his involvement in February last year when he was arrested over a separate matter.

The court was told that on the night of the incident, Gallacher had consumed bottles of Desperado beer and Buckfast tonic wine.

A witness stated that the Mercedes A Class did not appear to be driving at excessive speed but was "really close" to Craig, who had been walking home from his local pub.

Gallacher did not brake at all or make any attempt to swerve.

Prosecutor Naomei Warner said: "Mr Craig began to cross the road and as he did so, the Mercedes struck him as he was on the road.

"Gallacher did not stop his vehicle and continued to drive.

"The impact was described as quite substantial and caused Mr Craig to be thrown up from the road towards the kerb, landing in the road towards the kerb."

He had suffered injuries to his head, chest and limbs and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Craig's family said he was a "deeply loved" father and grandfather, and they would live with the pain of his loss for the rest of their lives.

The court was told that before the collision, Gallacher was using his mobile phone to show boxing content to front seat passenger, Kyle Cassidy.

He warned Gallacher to move, having spotted Craig in front of the car.

Gallacher was described as being "full of it on drink and drugs."

He continued to drive and told Cassidy: "I can't stop. I'm on the run."

Gallacher sped off with other passengers in the car who were "upset" by what had happened but he refused to stop or let them out.

All were eventually dropped off at different stages through the night.

The Mercedes was returned to the hire company with damage to the bumper, wing mirror and door.

The car was traced by police the following week and underwent "extensive forensic examinations".

On 8 February 2025, Gallacher was arrested in Falkirk for a separate matter and admitted being involved in the hit-and-run.

He told officers that he made no attempt to stop or help Craig and said that he knew he was "wanted".

Gallacher, who had previously served time in prison, denied he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and claimed he had taken prescribed medication.

He was jailed for five-and-a-half years in 2017 after taking part in the kidnap of gym boss Garry McMillan outside his home in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.

Gallacher's criminal record also includes a 2004 dangerous driving conviction as well as driving while disqualified.

At the High Court in Glasgow he pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving.

In a statement after the hearing, Craig's family said the plea brought "very mixed emotions".

The family said: "Nothing can bring our dad back or undo what happened, but having responsibility for his death acknowledged is a relief and means a great deal to our family.

"Now that the circumstances surrounding his death and the history of the person responsible are being heard, what we have learned has been incredibly difficult for our family to take in.

"There are questions about how someone with such a significant history came to be in a position where this could happen and we hope those questions are properly understood and acknowledged during sentencing."

Judge Lord Renucci deferred sentence until November, for background reports, and remanded Gallacher in custody.