A man has been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving following the death of Lionel Simenya in the west of Edinburgh earlier this year.
Declan Mayes, 21, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mr Simenya after the stolen Peugeot 207 he was driving collided with Mr Simenya in Ford’s Road in the early hours of Thursday 7th March.
Mayes had stolen the vehicle earlier in the evening after breaking into a car dealership on Ford’s Road.
Officers and emergency services were called at 3.50am on Thursday 7th March where Mr Simenya was found fatally injured. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Mayes fled the scene and abandoned the vehicle nearby. An investigation was subsequently launched by Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team which resulted in Mayes being arrested and charged on 16th March 2019.
At the High Court in Glasgow, Mayes pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, along with the break in to the business premises and the theft of the Peugeot 207.
Detective Inspector Stuart Alexander from the Major Investigation Team said: “Lionel Simenya had moved to the UK a number of years ago from his native Burundi and was working in Edinburgh as a chef when his life was so tragically cut short.
“This was a complex inquiry as we worked to ascertain what happened that night and we hope that Lionel’s family and friends now have some of the answers to how their loved one died and our thoughts remain with them at this time.
“By striking Lionel and leaving the scene, Declan Mayes showed complete disregard for Lionel’s life and I welcome today’s conviction.
“I’d like to thank the local community and members of the public who assisted officers whilst our investigation was ongoing.”
Mayes has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on 14th August.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
