West Yorkshire businessman ordered to pay £11,000 compensation to motorcyclists he knocked down on the North Coast 500
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A businessman has been criticised at Inverness Sheriff Court for treating the world-famous North Coast 500 like "a playground"
Sheriff Margaret Neilson was angered by comments 49-year-old engineering company boss Craig Coote made to social workers that the jury only convicted him because he was English and drove a Porsche.
But she stopped short of jailing him because of the effect custody would have on his employees and family.
Instead she ordered him to pay the two German motrocyclists he hit a total of £11,000 compensation for their injuries and ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid community work.
Coote, of Halifax Road, Liversedge, West Yorkshire, was also banned from driving for three years.
He was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a three-and-a-half-day trial, with the jury taking 30 minutes to return their verdict. Sentence had been deferred for a background report, which incurred the wrath of Sheriff Neilson.
She told defence solicitor Graham Mann: "He has suggested that the jury were prejudiced and racist. He has been extremely disrespectful to the jury. The report says that he has displayed arrogance and no concern for others."
Addressing Coote personally, the Sheriff said: "The jury found you guilty of a very serious charge and you have clearly found it difficult to accept their verdict. I am satisfied the jury carried out their duty in a careful manner and in accordance with their oath.
"The North Coast 500 is a stunningly beautiful route and must be treated with great respect. It is not a playground."
The Sheriff added that the road was also a lifeline for locals and praised accident and emergency nurse Jerry Hawker (27) who had been touring with her husband and went to the aid of the motorcyclists after they had been hit.
Coote had made unpleasant comments about her after she gave evidence against him, telling the court that he had sped past her and that she thought Coote and his friends were in convoy.
"I find your attitude towards her surprising," Sheriff Neilson said. "Had it not been for her public spiritedness and effective action in treating the injured, the outcome may have been worse and you would have been in a higher court."
Coote was overtaking another car on a blind bend in his Porsche 911GT3 when he failed to see German bikers Annabel Zekl and Luiza Cabrera, both aged 24, on August 30, 2017.
He hit them both head on at Stronchrubie, on the A835 and A837 between Ledmore and Lochinver.
Coote was ordered to pay £10,000 to Ms Cabrera, who was the most seriously injured, and £1000 to Ms Zekl. He agreed to pay within 14 days.
Both women suffered serious leg injuries, with Ms Cabrera scarred for life.
Their bikes were written off.
