Careless driving case not proven

A man charged with careless driving, which caused the death of a motorcyclist on the second barrier last year, has been acquitted after the case against him was found not proven.

William Alan Walls, 58, of St Ola, was alleged to have driven into the path of a motorcycle, ridden by 52-year-old Alexander Watson, which was overtaking his van on the A961 Burwick to Kirkwall road, just after 4pm, on April 23, 2014.

According to the charge, Mr Watson was thrown from his motorcycle after it collided with a roadside barrier and died as a result of his injuries.

The jury delivered their not proven verdict this afternoon, after a four-day trial at Kirkwall Sheriff Court.