A DRIVER knocked down and tragically killed a pensioner after failing to stop at a red light.

Martin Cameron hit retired nurse Margaret Mackell as she headed home from getting her hair done in May 2013.

The 80-year-old gran never recovered and died more than two months later in hospital.

Cameron now faces jail after he pled guilty to causing her death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

The 58-year-old, of Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, will return to the dock next month.

Widow Margaret suffered from Alzheimer's, but still lived independently and had an active social life.

She was struck as she returned from getting her hair done by students training at Clydebank College.

She was crossing at the town's Glasgow Road as Cameron failed to stop at the red light.

Prosecutor Bruce Erroch said other pedestrians headed back to the pavement as Cameron's vehicle came towards them.

But, he told the High Court in Glasgow: “Margaret either did not see his car or had no time to react to its presence.”

The pensioner ended up slumped on the ground before being rushed to hospital.

She was initially treated for fractures to her arm and leg. Margaret was then sent for rehab, but her condition deteriorated.

The OAP – who had lived in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire - returned to hospital where she ended up needing a number of blood transfusions.

In mid July 2013, she was found to have serious cardiac issues and days later she died.

The primary cause of her death was found to be heart failure.

A number of medics later agreed that the injuries Margaret sustained “contributed or potentially contributed indirectly” to her passing away.

The court heard how the OAP's grieving family have found her death “very difficult to deal with”.

Mr Erroch added: “They had hoped that she would be spared them some years yet.”

Divorcee Cameron had originally faced an allegation of causing death by dangerous driving before prosecutors accepted his plea to the reduced charge.

Derrick Nelson, defending, told the court Cameron had been left “so nervous” of getting behind the wheel since the incident.

The advocate added Cameron had been driving for almost 30 years before that without any issues.

Judge Paul Arthurson QC continued bail and deferred sentencing until July 11 in Edinburgh.