Biker admits killing man while driving double the speed limit

Joshua Findlay pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving

A biker has admitted killing a 79-year-old man while driving his off-road motorbike at more than double the speed limit and without a licence.

Joshua Findlay, 24, struck David Gow with his KTM 300-XC bike as Mr Gow crossed Balmore Road in Glasgow's Lambhill area on his way home on 12 February 2023.

Findlay pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Glasgow High Court and he will be sentenced next month.

The judge said Mr Gow's "cruel and needless death" was caused by Findlay's "dangerous misuse" of the motorbike.

Findlay, of Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, and his acquaintance Regan Shearer, 26, had been out riding their off-road motorbikes that evening.

Prosecutor Imran Bashir told the court: "Both travelled at high speed going through a red light and overtaking a car."

Mr Gow had been at his local pub earlier and was crossing the road after getting off a bus.

Shearer initially passed him on his bike.

"Shortly thereafter, Findlay struck David Gow at high speed causing fatal injuries," said the lawyer.

Findlay fell off his bike also hurting himself.

David Gow was hit by an off-road motorbike in Glasgow last year

Witnesses tried to help Mr Gow, with one giving him CPR as a 999 call was made.

Police and paramedics soon arrived but he died after suffering fatal chest and abdominal injuries.

Officers spoke to Findlay at the scene and he confirmed he had been on the motorbike which hit Mr Gow.

Mr Bashir added: "The motorcycle had no turning indicator lights nor any rear-view mirrors.

"It had been registered for road use, but was not carrying its number plate at the rear."

'Excessive speed'

After viewing CCTV from near the crash scene, collision investigators said Findlay had been travelling at 69mph. The speed limit on that road was 30mph.

"They concluded that the incident had been caused by excessive speed and poor observation by Findlay," said Mr Bashir.

He added that Mr Gow would have been visible for "several seconds" and Findlay had only carried out "insufficient" emergency braking in the "final moments".

Mr Bashir said no blame could be attributed to the victim.

Shearer had been captured on the same CCTV riding while lifting his front wheel off the road.

The lawyer said he appeared to be going at a "similar excessive speed".

The court hear that Findlay held a full driving licence but he only had a provisional licence for riding a motorbike and neither he, nor Shearer, had passed Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) for motorbikes.

Findlay's KC Tony Lenehan said: "He has had two years to understand the havoc he has brought upon others.

"He expresses his infinite regret, but, of course, it is too late for that."

The pair first appeared in court on 24 July 2024 following a police investigation.

Shearer had initially faced the same allegation as Findlay, but he had a guilty plea accepted to the reduced charge of dangerous driving.

Paul Nelson KC, defending Shearer, said what he did that night "formed no part in causing the death" that occurred.

Judge Lady Drummond told the court: "This was a cruel and needless death having been caused by the dangerous misuse of Joshua Findlay's motorcycle."

Mr Gow's son Craig had described his father as a "great family man, friend and colleague" as well as being "extremely intelligent and fiercely independent".

The victim's brother is SNP councillor Allan Gow, who represents the Glasgow Canal ward.

Both he and Craig later campaigned for tighter controls on off-road vehicles.

At the time, Cllr Gow said: "There will be other fatalities, there will be other accidents.

"Victims are often those riding the bikes. Their families are every bit as devastated. There is a problem here."

Lady Drummond remanded Findlay in custody and continued Shearer's bail as sentencing was adjourned until 22 December in Edinburgh.