Former bike racer guilty in THIRD fatal smash

A FORMER motorcycle racing champion has been found guilty of dangerous driving following the death of a pensioner in a road traffic accident - his THIRD conviction for road crashes in which people have been killed.

Last week, Visordown reported the news that Alan Duffus, 62,  was accused of causing 67-year-old Senga Elder's death by dangerous driving .

Following a five-day trial, Duffus was convicted of the lesser charge of dangerous driving.

However, after his conviction Dundee High Court was told this was Duffus' THIRD conviction over road crashes in which women had been killed.

According to today's Scottish Daily Record, Duffus was found guilty of causing death by reckless driving after crashing a car in which his 23-year-old woman passenger died in 1980.

Three years later, in 1983, he was in court again when he crashed his motorcycle into a car, causing the death of a 61-year-old mother-of-four.

After the verdicts yesterday, Chief Inspector John Macdonald blasted both drivers' conduct.

He said: "This was not a road accident, it was a brutal criminal act. So dangerous was the driving of these individuals, it was a miracle that only Senga lost her life."

Motorbike dealer Duffus was found guilty of dangerous driving because of this incident and his excessive speed.

Sentencing of the pair was deferred until next month after judge Lady Dorrian called for background reports.

Duffus also declined to comment on the case as he left the building.

Chief Insp Macdonald said: "All this lady was doing was walking home after a day's work and her life was taken in a moment of totally avoidable madness. If it were not for the actions of Whyte and Duffus, Senga Elder would still be with her family."