A lorry driver has admitted killing another motorist by drifting off the A9 and ploughing into his parked car.

Frank Simpson veered into the lay-by at 50mph and failed to slow down before smashing into John Trimble's parked car near Ballinluig in Perthshire.

Simpson, who would have seen the vehicle for half a minute before the collision occurred, did not apply his brakes until after he had crashed into Mr Trimble's car.

Perth Sheriff Court was told the 35-year-old was driving to the Vue Cinema in Inverness when the accident happened on November 4, 2014.

Fiscal depute Sue Ruta told the court: "The accused was employed via an agency for DHL supply chain in Livingston. He had been driving for the company since May 15, 2014.

"Mr Trimble was employed as a driver for Vital Pet Products in Cumbernauld. He had left home early in a hire car to pick up and return a vehicle for repair.

"The collision occurred within Lay-by 33 on the northbound section of the dual-carriageway.

"At 7.50am, Mr Trimble was parked in the lay-by and sitting in the driver's seat wearing his seatbelt.

"The accused was driving northbound at just under 50 miles per hour. A witness observed the accused's lorry start to drift slowly to the left towards the entrance of the lay-by.

"That witness had a clear view of the lorry and could see the car parked in the lay-by. He thought the lorry was going to hit the car because it did not slow down and the brake lights did not come on.

"He saw the accused's lorry plough into the back of the car, propelling it into the air. He saw it turn over before coming to rest on its roof.

"She told the court that Simpson was on his mobile phone and appeared dazed when he told the witness 'I don't know what happened'."

A medical team, including an air ambulance, were sent to the crash but Mr Trimble was declared dead at the scene. He had suffered severe head and chest injuries.

Ms Ruta said the lorry's tachograph showed it had gradually slowed down before the impact but Simpson only used his breaks two seconds after the vehicles collided.

Simpson, of Sleigh Gardens in Edinburgh, admitted causing the death by careless driving of John Trimble in Lay-by 33 of the A9 Perth to Inverness road.

Sheriff William Wood said Mr Trimble's death had "clearly been a very traumatic event for all of the family".

He deferred sentence for reports until March 29 and banned Simpson from driving on an interim basis.