Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Abbie Meehan

West Lothian brother of hit and run dad slams 'cowards' who dodged prosecution

The family of a dad killed in a hit-and-run in West Lothian spoke of their heartache, after being told the suspects will not be taken to court.

Dad-of-two George Robertson, 53, died in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh after being hit by a vehicle while walking between Bathgate and Torphichen, West Lothian, on the B792 on Sunday, September 20, 2020.

He was hit by a Nissan Qashqai which fled the scene, between 10.50pm and 10.55pm.

For all the latest updates on coronavirus please see our live blog here

The SUV was spotted on CCTV with a man and a woman inside and was later found damaged.

The couple, both aged 36, were reported to have been having an affair.

Grieving brother David Robertson described them as "cretins" who chose not to help his sibling.

READ MORE - Nicola Sturgeon confirms NO extension to Covid vaccine scheme in Scotland

The Robertson family challenged a decision by the Crown Office not to prosecute, in November.

But their appeal was overturned and the suspects will not be taken to court.

Widow Tracey Robertson, from Torphichen, said last year that their 15-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter had been deprived of their "hero" dad.

Tracey said: "Having no answers or justice for their dad just makes this even harder."

Her brother-in-law David added: "These charges would have resulted in the driver and passenger going to court and my family at least getting answers to why these two cretins did not remain at the accident scene and call for the police and an ambulance in an attempt to at least help George, instead of fleeing to go into hiding.

"As the Crown has flung out all the charges my family and most importantly my wee brother George cannot have the answers or closure on this horrible time in our lives.

"I would like to personally thank Police Scotland and Nissan in Sunderland for all their efforts and fantastic work in finding these individuals.

"Unfortunately the justice system has not only let my family down but also those who did a fantastic job."
"We as a family have been waiting for months for some sort of answers.

"This decision has brought unbelievable heartache, anger and dismay at how the justice system has treated my family and George."

A COPFS spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the family of George Robertson at what must be a difficult time for them.

"The Procurator Fiscal received a report relating to a man and woman in connection with an incident said to have taken place on 20 September 2020.

"After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the available admissible evidence, Crown Counsel decided there should be no proceedings taken at this time.

"Crown Office officials have met with the family to discuss the case with them.

"The Crown reserves the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.