Biker faces significant jail sentence

Rider blamed for passenger's death

A YOUNG biker who killed his friend in a crash has been warned he faces a "significant" jail sentence.

James Manders, 19, died of his injuries after being thrown from the 125cc machine last summer.

Unemployed James Davidson, 20, was convicted by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh of driving the motorbike dangerously and causing the crash.

A second accused, landscaper Andrew Sneddon, 18, earlier admitted driving dangerously on a motorbike in the same area on the same day.

The accident happened on July 25 last year around Harewood Road. Davidson, who was 19 at the time, clipped another vehicle.

Mr Manders, a pillion passenger, was flung from the bike. The court heard the teenager, of Bingham Broadway, was not wearing a crash helmet.

Davidson, of Bingham Medway, had denied the charge against him, but the jury took around two hours to find him guilty by majority verdict.

Lord Uist told Davidson he had been convicted of a serious charge, as he remanded him in custody.

"You must expect a significant sentence of detention," he said.

The judge told Sneddon he would be bailed until his next court appearance, but said he could also face being detained