Father's plea to Jack car driver

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The driver of the car which knocked down and killed Jack Anderson gave himself up after the 10-year-old's father pleaded with him in a letter.

Isaac Purcell, 26, denies murdering the schoolboy in Edinburgh last October.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how he wrote to Jack's parents in February admitting he was the driver.

Jack's father Michael replied enclosing a photograph of his son. He also urged Mr Purcell to hand himself in - which he did after sending another letter.

He walked into St Leonard's police station in Edinburgh on 7 March.

Received letter

The court heard that a massive hunt was launched to find the driver of the car which hit Jack as he crossed Saughton Road North on 5 October last year.

Despite appeals in newspapers and a reconstruction on BBC's Crimewatch programme, police were unable to trace the driver.

Det Con Robert Brown told the trial how in February the Andersons received a letter from an address in Newry, Northern Ireland.

In it, Mr Purcell said: "I don't know where to start but I must tell you I was the driver of the car that hit your son Jack.

I would appeal to you as a father, please hand yourself in Letter from Michael Anderson

"I knew we hit something but I did not know it was a little boy until later that night when I saw the news.

"I was shocked and devastated. I don't think I'll ever get over it.

"I have five children myself. If you hate me I do understand because I can imagine that's how I would feel in your position."

Mr Purcell claimed that he was being closely pursued by police and said he did not stop because he panicked as he was wanted on another charge in Liverpool.

In his reply, which was read to the court by defence counsel Bert Kerrigan QC, Mr Anderson said: "The only thing we have now are memories. The house is quiet now. Jack was the life and soul of our family.

"What really hurts is every day without Jack. He had all his life before him. He'll never go to high school."

Isaac Purcell wrote two letters to the schoolboy's parents

He said Jack was a huge Star Wars fan, writing: "We miss him going down the street waving his light sabre above him."

The letter ended with Mr Anderson saying: "I would appeal to you as a father, please hand yourself in."

Mr Purcell wrote back confirming he was handing himself in, then walked into the Edinburgh police station.

The jury was played a video of a police interview with Mr Purcell.

In it he said: "I'm so, so sorry. I've handed myself into the police.

"I'm doing this for the parents. It's the only way I can give something back to Jack."

Mr Purcell denies all the charges against him.

The trial, before Lord Uist, continues.