Jailed 166mph biker to appeal

A motorcyclist jailed this week for speeding at 166mph on a 60mph road in Scotland plans to appeal against his nine-month sentence, his lawyer said.

Neil Purves, 27, was caught in May on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 on an empty stretch of the A702 known as the Dolphinton Straight, near West Linton, Peeblesshire.

He was given a five-year driving ban on top of his nine-month jail sentence at Peebles Sheriff Court after admitting dangerous driving.

The jail term is the same as that given to a woman last year for causing the death a motorcyclist and serious injury to his pillion son by driving carelessly and without a licence or insurance.

Purves’ defence lawyer Graham Walker said: “He has launched an appeal against the sentence and we’re certainly determined to follow that through for him.”

Walker had told the court: “No other vehicles were using the road at the time nor were any cars parked nearby.

“I think it’s fair to say the level of risk that the public were subjected to was very low but there was considerable danger to the accused himself.”

Purves is thought to be the fastest speeder ever caught in Scotland.  

Lillian Martha Kenny, 44, was jailed for nine months at Glasgow Sheriff Court last September over the death of 36-year-old biker Martin Swanson.

Ian Mutch, president of the Motorcycle Action Group, said: “Let’s be crystal clear about this. Travelling at astronomic speed on public roads warrants serious sentencing. But if nine months is deemed appropriate for a rider travelling at high speed and hurting no-one, then a driver whose hazardous behaviour causes death should surely deserve a higher penalty.”