A family were united in grief as the man who caused the death of their loved one walked free from court.
David Roberts lost his life in August 2012 when his prized Ducati motorcycle struck the car being driven by pensioner William Scott.
The 73-year-old initially blamed the tragic father of three for causing the fatal collision, telling officers that the fault was Mr Roberts’.
It took more than 12 months for Scott to finally accept his guilt in court, but he was spared a prison sentence after expressing, through his solicitor, his remorse.
After listening to a lengthy plea from the pensioner’s solicitor, Richard Freeman, presiding Sheriff Fiona Tait said she was satisfied that the case could be dealt with by way of an alternative to custody.
She disqualified Scott from driving for 30 months and made him subject to a community payback order requiring him to carry out the maximum 300 hours of unpaid work.
The sheriff said she was sorry the sentence did not bear relation to the loss suffered by Mr Roberts’ family.
They wept as they left the court on Wednesday and were too distraught to speak.
Fellow biker and family friend John Gauld was also present to hear the sentence delivered, and he told The Courier: “Nothing can bring Dave back, but I don’t know if this was justice.”
Mr gauld added: “He was such a great, positive guy a family man who loved skiing, walking and biking and to lose him in this way was terrible.
“I came here today to represent his many biking buddies around the world and to pay our respect to his family and in particular his wife Morag, his sister and his mother.”
Mr Gauld campaigned to have better signs installed at the site of the accident in the aftermath of his friend’s death.
Scott and a friend had been driving to the Glenturret Distillery for lunch on August 22 2012 when it became clear that they had taken a wrong turn.
Perth Sheriff Court heard he had pulled over on to a track near east Lodge, Dunira, on the A85 between St Fillans and Comrie, to consult his satellite navigation system, which recommended he turn and head back the way he had come.
Scott attempted a three-point turn but his Jaguar car was blocking much of both lanes of the road when Mr Roberts came upon him.
He was riding sensibly and within the speed limit but had no chance to avoid a collision, colliding with the driver’s door of Scott’s vehicle.
The 41-year-old, from Stanley, died at the scene.
Depute fiscal Carol Whyte told the court witnesses had seen Scott emerge from the junction and into the path of Mr Roberts’ motorcycle.He was seen to take evasive action but, as Scott continued his manoeuvre, he was left with nowhere to go.
Mr Freeman said his client, who in 48 years must have “easily driven over a million miles without incident”, had expressed genuine remorse and deep regret at having caused the death of Mr Roberts.
“He has said on many occasions he wishes he could bring him back,” the agent said.
Scott, of Main Street, Overtown, near Wishaw, admitted causing Mr Roberts’ death by driving carelessly.