A motorcyclist has been sentenced to four years in prison for causing the death of a 79-year-old man by driving at more than double the speed limit in a Glasgow street.
Reckless Ride Ends in Tragedy
Joshua Findlay, 25, was riding his KTM 300-XC dirt bike at an estimated 69mph in a 30mph zone on Balmore Road in the Lambhill area of Glasgow. The incident occurred on 12 February 2023.
Findlay struck pedestrian David Gow as the pensioner was crossing the road after alighting from a bus, having visited a pub. The force of the collision caused fatal injuries.
Court Hears Details of Fatal Collision
The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Findlay and an acquaintance, Regan Shearer, 26, had been riding at high speed, going through a red light and overtaking a car immediately before the crash.
Following the impact, Findlay was thrown from his bike, suffering fractures and a punctured lung. Bystanders rushed to help Mr Gow, with one performing CPR while a 999 call was made. Despite the efforts of paramedics and police who attended, Mr Gow died from chest and abdominal injuries.
Sentencing and Family Impact
Judge Lady Drummond told Findlay that Mr Gow was a "vulnerable road user" with no opportunity to protect himself. She noted the victim was a loving father and husband who was "deeply missed."
While accepting Findlay had shown "genuine remorse" and was assessed as a minimum re-offending risk, she stated only a custodial sentence was appropriate. Findlay, formerly of Bishopbriggs, Lanarkshire, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
In addition to the four-year jail term, Lady Drummond banned Findlay from driving for eight years and ordered he must pass an extended test before obtaining a licence.
Mr Gow's son, Craig, paid tribute to his father, describing him as a "great family man, friend and colleague" who was extremely intelligent and fiercely independent.
Co-accused Receives Community Sentence
The court also dealt with Regan Shearer, who admitted a charge of dangerous driving in connection with the same incident. His defence counsel, Paul Nelson KC, argued for a non-custodial sentence.
Shearer was given a community payback order, with 12 months of supervision and a requirement to complete 225 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for 12 months.
Findlay's defence counsel, Tony Lenehan KC, said his client was in the lowest risk category and that the impending sentence would "weigh more heavily on his shoulders than the usual inhabitants of this dock."
