Driver high on cocaine stole Maserati then crashed into man working in his garden

A career criminal who lost control of the Italian supercar he had earlier stolen killed a great-grandfather who had been working in his garden, a court has heard.

Fraser Garden, 55, had taken cocaine before he made off with a Maserati Quattroporte, which belonged to a director of a garage in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, on April 13.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard he then drove off with the car, which has a top speed of 193 miles per hour, and started driving dangerously through the streets of the town.

The court heard that Garden has more than 90 previous convictions and has been given two lifetime bans from driving since 1992.

Garden was seen to drive on the wrong side of the carriageway at excessive speed, causing at least one oncoming driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

The 55-year-old lost control of the vehicle at a bend at the junction of Forthill Road and Nursery Road STV News

He then failed to negotiate a left-hand bend and lost control of the vehicle before the Maserati clipped the kerb at the Nursery Road junction, then struck the traffic island before passing through a hedge and into the garden where John Bell was fixing a neighbour’s stairway.

He also collided with the outside wall of their house, pinning him against the wall, leaving him with “non-survivable” injuries.

The court heard that Mr Bell’s wife, Theresa, started to look for her husband.

Prosecution lawyer Graeme Jessop: “She went around the rear of the car and saw the accused getting out of the driver’s door, where he appeared glazed and dazed.

“She then continued past him and observed the now deceased John Bell trapped between the front of the car and the wall of the house, having suffered non-survivable injuries.

“The accused exited the Maserati and walked away from the vehicle. Witnesses approached him to ensure he remained at the scene until the police arrived.

“Police officers arrived at the scene, and they attended to the deceased but detected no sign of life. He was pronounced dead at 1.28pm.”

Garden, of Dundee, pleaded guilty to charges including car theft and causing Mr Bell’s death by driving dangerously.

Maserati front view following the crash that killed John Bell COPFS

He also admitted charges of driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified at the time of the incident. He also pleaded guilty to failing to provide a blood test sample whilst at Ninewells hospital in Dundee in order to allow the authorities to test for drink or drugs.

Garden, a remand prisoner, observed proceedings via video link from jail as Mr Jessop narrated the circumstances of his criminal past and of his latest offence.

Mr Jessop told the court that Garden has “at least” five previous convictions for car theft, three previous convictions for driving dangerously and six previous convictions for driving without insurance.

He was given life bans from driving in April 1992 and September 1998. He was also given a 15-year ban from driving in April 1996.

Garden has also been convicted of “crimes of dishonesty.”

Mr Jessop added: “He has more than 90 previous convictions.”

The court heard that on April 13, 2026, shortly before 1pm, Garden visited the West End Garage in Queen Street in Broughty Ferry.

He was seen walking around the showroom and forecourt before he entered the unlocked Maserati.

The court heard that the car’s battery had recently been recharged and the key was in the driver’s side pocket. He started the engine and drove off.

Mr Jessop told the court: “The owner purchased the car for around £70,000 approximately five years ago. When stolen, the car had an estimated value of £40,000.

“The vehicle has been irreparably damaged. The loss is not covered by insurance.”

The court heard that Garden started driving dangerously through Broughty Ferry before his actions caused Mr Bell to lose his life.

In the aftermath of the incident, Garden apologised by saying he was “sorry” to police who told him he was under arrest.

He had been taken to Ninewells Hospital. He had earlier tested positive for cocaine on a wipe administered to him following the crime. But Garden refused to take a further blood test.

Mr Jessop said that investigators were able to establish that the speed of the vehicle at the point of impact with the side of the house was 34 miles per hour.

Mr Jessop also spoke of Mr Bell, who died from multiple blunt force injuries caused by the collision.

The court heard that Mr Bell was known to his friends and family as Jack, was married to Theresa and had previously worked as a taxi driver and bus conductor. He had retired in 2020.

Mr Jessop added: “The deceased had three children with Theresa, two sons and a daughter.

“He had ten adult grandchildren ranging from 40 to 24 years old and nine great-grandchildren with whom he was very much involved.”

The court also heard that four members of Mr Bell’s family had submitted victim impact statements.

Garden had his head in his hands and appeared to be crying as his lawyer, Billy Yule, told the court that he wanted to reserve his position for a future hearing.

Lord Braid asked him: “Is there any mitigation to this?”

Mr Yule replied: “Zero.”

Lord Braid thanked members of Mr Bell’s family for submitting statements detailing the loss of their relative but he said he wanted a report into Garden’s background.

He added: “It can only assist me in understanding all of this.”

He also told Garden that a “lengthy custodial sentence” would result as a consequence of his crime.

He added: “It is an incredibly tragic case, an incredibly serious case.

“You will be remanded in the meantime.”

Garden will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on August 21, 2026.