This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8586879.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Businessman admits killing biker Businessman admits killing biker
(10 minutes later)
A businessman has admitted killing a biker more than a decade ago despite the victim's body never being found.A businessman has admitted killing a biker more than a decade ago despite the victim's body never being found.
Thomas Pryde, 38, said he killed lorry driver Adam Alexander, 46, in 1999 after the business associates had a row.Thomas Pryde, 38, said he killed lorry driver Adam Alexander, 46, in 1999 after the business associates had a row.
At the High Court in Glasgow, Pryde admitted culpable homicide, bringing to a conclusion one of Scotland's longest-running unsolved crimes.At the High Court in Glasgow, Pryde admitted culpable homicide, bringing to a conclusion one of Scotland's longest-running unsolved crimes.
Mr Alexander was treated as a missing person for almost nine years.Mr Alexander was treated as a missing person for almost nine years.
Pryde, who ran a plumbing business based in Scone, Perthshire, is due to be sentenced next month.Pryde, who ran a plumbing business based in Scone, Perthshire, is due to be sentenced next month.
The court heard that he had gone to Mr Alexander's home in Errol to discuss a deal but a row had broken out between them.The court heard that he had gone to Mr Alexander's home in Errol to discuss a deal but a row had broken out between them.
Motorcyle leathersMotorcyle leathers
Pryde claimed the lorry driver had been trying to get him to sell stolen goods and had lashed out at him when he refused.Pryde claimed the lorry driver had been trying to get him to sell stolen goods and had lashed out at him when he refused.
The High Court was told that Pryde then picked up a metal bar and hit Mr Alexander repeatedly until he died as a result of the blows.The High Court was told that Pryde then picked up a metal bar and hit Mr Alexander repeatedly until he died as a result of the blows.
He said he then panicked and buried the body in a field beside Errol brickworks.He said he then panicked and buried the body in a field beside Errol brickworks.
Adam Alexander was reported missing in 1999
Pryde confided in his wife Fiona about what he had done.Pryde confided in his wife Fiona about what he had done.
Adam Alexander was reported missing in 1999
But after threatening to leave her following an affair, Mrs Pryde told police and a murder inquiry was launched, during which Pryde admitted killing and burying Mr Alexander.But after threatening to leave her following an affair, Mrs Pryde told police and a murder inquiry was launched, during which Pryde admitted killing and burying Mr Alexander.
He told officers where he remembered burying the body, but a large-scale search in 2008 failed to find any trace of Mr Alexander.He told officers where he remembered burying the body, but a large-scale search in 2008 failed to find any trace of Mr Alexander.
The only bones recovered belonged to a sheep.The only bones recovered belonged to a sheep.
Pryde has since told police he is willing to return to the scene and show them exactly where he left Mr Alexander.Pryde has since told police he is willing to return to the scene and show them exactly where he left Mr Alexander.
At the High Court in Glasgow, Pryde, a prisoner in Edinburgh, admitted the culpable homicide of Adam Alexander, also known as Adam McTavish, on 14 November 1999.At the High Court in Glasgow, Pryde, a prisoner in Edinburgh, admitted the culpable homicide of Adam Alexander, also known as Adam McTavish, on 14 November 1999.
He admitted assaulting and killing his victim at Atholl Cottage, Errol, by repeatedly striking him with a metal object, before disposing of his body at an unknown location.He admitted assaulting and killing his victim at Atholl Cottage, Errol, by repeatedly striking him with a metal object, before disposing of his body at an unknown location.
Criminal offencesCriminal offences
Adam Alexander was last seen alive at his home on 14 November 1999 and had arranged to meet a buyer for his motorbike at 1700 GMT.Adam Alexander was last seen alive at his home on 14 November 1999 and had arranged to meet a buyer for his motorbike at 1700 GMT.
He failed to keep the appointment and his distinctive motorcycle leathers were never found, although his car was subsequently seen in Perth a number of times.He failed to keep the appointment and his distinctive motorcycle leathers were never found, although his car was subsequently seen in Perth a number of times.
The case was treated as a straightforward missing persons inquiry until the end of 2007 when the focus of the investigation changed.The case was treated as a straightforward missing persons inquiry until the end of 2007 when the focus of the investigation changed.
Last year, Mr Alexander's mother, Tricia Bremner, lodged a petition at Perth Sheriff Court to have her son formally declared dead.Last year, Mr Alexander's mother, Tricia Bremner, lodged a petition at Perth Sheriff Court to have her son formally declared dead.
The police also created a special MySpace website page to appeal for information about the case after it emerged Mr Alexander may have been killed.The police also created a special MySpace website page to appeal for information about the case after it emerged Mr Alexander may have been killed.
Once Tayside Police began the investigation, they uncovered a string of criminal offences which all centred on Pryde, who had not previously been known to the force.Once Tayside Police began the investigation, they uncovered a string of criminal offences which all centred on Pryde, who had not previously been known to the force.
This is the first time since Nat Fraser was jailed in 2003 for murdering his wife Arlene that an accused in Scotland has been convicted of a killing where the victim has never been found.This is the first time since Nat Fraser was jailed in 2003 for murdering his wife Arlene that an accused in Scotland has been convicted of a killing where the victim has never been found.