Biker who killed Kilmarnock man in head on smash avoids jail for flouting driving ban
Alan Taylor was responsible for William Murray's death in 2013
A biker who killed a Kilmarnock man in a head-on motorcycle crash has been spared jail again - for flouting a road ban imposed over the tragedy.
Alan Taylor killed William Murray at an accident blackspot near Inverary, Argyll, in September 2013.
Taylor was spared jail and banned from driving for five years over Mr Murray's death after a High Court trial in 2015.
But in November this year he went back out on the roads in his Vauxhall Vivaro van - and was caught by police.
The details emerged on Monday when Taylor, 38, appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court to be sentenced.
He had earlier admitted charges of driving while disqualified and driving without insurance in in Burnbrae Drive, Linwood, Renfrewshire, on Saturday, November 11 this year.
Procurator Fiscal Depute Emma Jeffrey told the court that police were carrying out checks on vehicles in that area and stopped Taylor at 9.20am.
The prosecutor explained: "The accused indicated he was a disqualified driver and this was confirmed with a Police National Computer Check."
Defence solicitor Tony Callahan said Taylor works as a joiner and employed someone as a labourer and driver due to his road ban.
He added: "The employee had been out on the Friday night socialising and phoned him on the Saturday morning to advise him he couldn't drive.
"He made a misjudgement and stupidly decided to drive.
"There was pressure of business on him - he had a job he needed to do that day."
Sheriff Susan Sinclair she had "a stark choice" and explained: "Do I send him to jail today or give him an alternative to custody?"
But she opted to spare Taylor prison and instead placed him on a Community Payback Order.
As she told him to carry out 200 hours' unpaid work, reduced from 300 as he admitted his guilt, and banned him from driving for five years, she said: "You could well go to jail for this."
Taylor, of Erskine, Renfrewshire, was also spared jail for killing Murray after crashing in to him in September 2013.
Taylor crossed onto the wrong side of the road at a sharp bend near Inverary and smashed into a Honda being ridden by Murray, who died days later from his injuries.
He went on trial charged with death by dangerous driving but was convicted of a reduced charge of causing death by careless driving following a trial.
Mr Murray, of Kilmarnock, died from head injuries at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital.
His partner of 24 years, Yvonne Kerr, told the court: "It was the first time I experienced a broken heart. His death left a big hole in our life."