Drugged-up driver jailed following collision which killed 'devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother'
A drugged-up driver who admitted causing the death of motorcyclist from Midlothian by dangerous driving has today (Thursday) been jailed for 12 years.
Brian Wilson - a 60-year-old grandfather from Newtongrange - suffered fatal injuries in the collision with a car on the A72 near Innerleithen, in the Scottish Borders, on April 23rd last year.
The High Court in Glasgow heard Andrew Taylor, from Galashiels, was so under the influence of a number of drugs - including cocaine - that he fell asleep in the back of an ambulance shortly after the smash.
The 48-year-old, who has also been banned from driving for 16 years, initially lied that he had been on the correct side of the road and that Mr Wilson's bike had crossed over and hit him.
Passing sentence, Lord Arthurson gave no discount for Taylor's guilty plea for a number of reasons, including Taylor's "conduct" and him failing to turn up for an earlier court date.
He added: "The author of (a background) report describes your attitude to the consequences of your actions as blase and questioned the authenticity of your apparently stated remorse."
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Prosecutor Mark Mohammed KC earlier told how Taylor and a woman had spent the previous evening downing alcohol and taking cocaine until late.
On the morning of the crash, he got behind the wheel of his Mini Countryman to go to a shop to get more drink. He was then on the A72 when the collision occurred.
Mr Wilson - who worked for Scottish Water - meantime had gone out for a ride on his Suzuki bike after finishing his shift.
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Mr Mohammed then explained: "Taylor drove around a bend, crossed the centre line of the road and into the opposing side.
"As he did so, Mr Wilson was approaching the bend. Taylor steered sharply to the left around the same time he collided with the motorcycle.
"Mr Wilson did not have sufficient time avoid the collision."
The grandfather was thrown from his bike and suffered "multiple injuries".
The court heard - despite efforts by witnesses including an off-duty nurse - he sadly died at the scene.
The court heard a blood sample taken from Taylor had the presence of a number of substances including cocaine, a sedative called Clonazepam and morphine, and he already had a number of road traffic convictions.
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In a statement - released through lawyers Digby Brown - the victim's family said: "Taylor killed Brian for selfish, criminal and avoidable reasons.
"The fact he tried to blame Brian - despite a mountain of evidence - is objectively despicable. He should never have been behind the wheel.
"This man ripped a family apart and, yet, he does not seem to care.
"The judge promised a substantial custodial sentence - we are glad to see this outcome."
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