Drunk driver admits killing three

Martin had been drinking and taking drugs

A man has admitted killing a woman and two children after driving into them when he was drunk and high on ecstasy.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Dean Martin, 23, drove through Glenrothes, Fife, at speeds of up to 70mph on 15 February this year.

Anne Martin, 39, her eight-year old daughter Ashley, and her friend Ross Sneddon, aged five, were killed when Martin's car ploughed into them.

Sentencing was deferred for three weeks for background reports.

Martin's victims were walking home from a dance class on a Sunday morning when his car mounted the pavement on Minto Street.

'Utter disregard'

Martin dumped the Vauxhall Vectra outside the home of one of his victims, Ross Sneddon.

Ross's father, Andrew Sneddon, 28, rushed to the scene and saw the Vauxhall radiator badge from Martin's car lying in the road.

He told the court on Monday: "I knew at that point that I had just witnessed walking away the man who killed my son."

The justice has started. It will never be full justice for us and our families Andrew Sneddon

His wife and Ross's mother, Michelle, was severely injured in the incident.

Surgeons had to put a metal plate into her cheek and she walked into court with the aid of a crutch.

Earlier, Martin, from Glenrothes, had to be led back to the cells due to shouts of "rot in hell" and "scum" from friends and family of the bereaved and injured.

Martin admitted he was under the influence of alcohol and ecstasy at the time of the crash.

He also pleaded guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice by failing to stop, failing to get help for the pedestrians and fleeing the scene "with utter disregard" for his victims.

Martin's lawyer, Edgar Prais QC, said Martin was "riven with remorse" over what had happened.

Beautiful boy

Mrs Sneddon was comforted by her husband as, outside the court, she described her child as a "beautiful, funny" little boy with the "cheekiest smile you ever saw".

She said: "I don't want my wee boy dying in vain. This guy's got to pay. He's taken three innocent lives and he's got to serve time, but what they give him is not going to be enough, never going to be enough."

From left: Crash victims Anne Martin, her daughter Ashley and Ross Sneddon

Mr Sneddon said the families were relieved there would be no need to relive the details of the accident during a trial.

He added: "The justice has started. It will never be full justice for us and our families, it will never bring them back, it will never bring Anne and Ashley back, but it's a start."

Fife Constabulary's Ch Insp Bob Farmer praised the work of investigators, the procurator fiscal service and the strength of the families.

He said: "This was a tragedy which will linger long in the minds of those directly affected and indeed the community at large.

"Thankfully, Mr Martin tendered a plea of guilty which will go some way to reducing the trauma caused by witnesses having to re-live the events of 15 February."

Judge Lord Brodie remanded Martin in custody until 21 June, when he is due to be sentenced.