A MAN who reversed his car over a pub boss he had earlier assaulted was today (Friday) found guilty of murder at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Lee McNamara, 24, was found guilty of the murder of father-of-two Steven Curran, 47, at the Dolphin Inn, Whitecraig, on October 20 last year.

Mr Curran's wife Jill - who in court saw CCTV footage of her husband's attack - said words couldn't explain the "devastating impact" his death had had on their family.

Mr Curran, who was landlord at the pub, was attacked by McNamara as he walked to his car after closing up for the evening.

He was punched and kicked in the head, before McNamara got into the vehicle and reversed it over Mr Curran's body.

McNamara, of Whitecraig's Carberry Court, then crashed the car on the A1, and fled only to return later to the scene of the collision. By that time, officers had discovered the body of Mr Curran, of Musselburgh, in the car park.

Detective Inspector John Peaston, from Dalkeith CID, welcomed today's verdict.

He said: "This was a senseless and brutal attack on an innocent man, which was motivated by no more than petty malice on the part of Lee McNamara.

"His actions have had a devastating impact on Mr Curran's family, and I would like to pay tribute to them for their courage during what has been a harrowing ordeal." In a statement released on behalf of Steven Curran's family, his wife Jill said: "I made a decision to watch the CCTV footage of the attack on my husband in court, because I had to know exactly what happened to him on the night he died.

"What I saw was a sickening and cowardly attack on an innocent man, and this will stay with me for the rest of my life.

"There are no words that can explain the devastating impact that my husband's death has had on our family, and in particular our two daughters.

"They both meant the world to Steve, and he worked so hard to give them a good life. As a family we loved going on holiday, and I have so many fantastic memories of the good times we all spent together.

"To me, Steve was always a larger-than-life character. He was well liked, and he was always the centre of attention wherever he went.

"Most of all though, he was a loving husband and a proud father, as well as a much loved son and brother. His spirit lives on in our two beautiful daughters, and he will be sorely missed by all of us." A jury of 10 men and five women found McNamara guilty of the murder which carries an automatic life sentence by a majority verdict. Relatives of the victim hugged each other after leaving the courtroom.

Lady Clark of Calton deferred sentence on McNamara for the preparation of a background report, but said: "Obviously there is only one punishment available."