A MOTORCYCLIST accused of causing the death of a much-loved husband and father by driving dangerously has been found guilty following a trial at Dorchester Crown Court.

Mark Dalgleish, aged 27, of Lennox Street, Weymouth denied the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.

After the jury reached a majority verdict, Judge Peter Johnson told the defendant that he will receive a custodial sentence.

David Dalgleish, aged 32, of Newstead Road, Weymouth, who was travelling on a purple and black Honda motorbike in front of his brother, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Prosecuting Rufus Taylor told the court that at around 5pm on Sunday, October 11 87-year-old Christopher Dursley was crossing Preston Beach Road with his wife Grace at the pedestrian crossing.

Mr Taylor said Mark Dalgleish, who was driving a yellow Suzuki motorbike, "simply didn't see Mr Dursley" and hit him just before he reached the refuge island.

Mr Dursley suffered serious internal and external injuries and died at the scene. 

Mark Dalgleish also suffered serious injuries to his arms, wrists and shoulder as he was thrown from his bike onto the nearside verge.

Mr Taylor said: "Mark Dalgleish's driving was reckless, ridiculous and nothing short of dangerous."

During the trial witnesses had estimated both bikes were travelling at speeds in excess of 70mph in a 50mph zone, with one witness saying Mr Dursley "didn't stand a chance".

Other witnesses described seeing both motorbikes carry out overtaking manoeuvres on the wrong side of the road just before the collision.

Deborah and Kevin New were in the car immediately behind the motorbike when the incident occurred.

Mr New said the elderly couple had "ample time" to cross the road. 

Mitigating, Timothy Shorter told the court Mark Dalgleish could not recollect the incident and just remembers waking up in hospital a few days later. 

Giving evidence Mark Dalgleish said: "I feel horrible and I am so sorry for what happened."

When he was read the accounts of witnesses, he said he was "sickened" by how his driving was perceived.

Mr Taylor added: "He made the reckless decision to drive dangerously. He is clearly remorseful and terribly regrets what happened but that isn't a defence.

"Mrs Dursley tried to pull him out of the way, but to no avail. This was dangerous driving pure and simple."

Following the verdict, Judge Peter Johnson said: "I would like to commend the Dursley family for their considerable strength through all of this. I have no doubt that Mr Dursley will be immensely proud of you all."

Mark Dalgleish will appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, October 28 for sentence.

After the case, PC Andrew Fields, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “Mark and David Dalgleish’s actions that day resulted in the death of a much-loved elderly man.

"The incident was made even more tragic by the fact Christopher Dursley’s wife was with him at the time of the collision and saw her husband pass away from the dreadful injuries he had sustained.

“Both defendants were experienced motorcyclists but their riding that day was dangerous and fell far below the standard expected.

“Our thoughts today are with Mr Dursley’s family.”