A judge has criticised the length of time it took to bring a case to trial as a motorcyclist was fined 20 months after an accident which left a Ugandan woman dead.

Lord Pentland said it seemed to be on the face of it "entirely unsatisfactory" that a High Court trial was taking place only now, following the tragedy in September 2013.

The judge pointed out that eyewitness testimony was involved in the case and that with the passage of time recollections became dimmed.

William Shirley, 24, stood trial at the High Court in Edinburgh originally accused of causing the death of pedestrian Flavia Tumwijukye by dangerous driving at Great Junction Street in Leith on September 27 2013.

Shirley, of Fidra Court, Muirhouse, Edinburgh, had denied the offence and was yesterday found guilty only of careless driving.

Following the jury's verdict the judge said the court was left to deal with "an instance of speeding at a level which was not greatly above the speed limit and nothing more than that".

Lord Pentland said he did not think it was possible to say what the exact speed was, but it was probably in the region of 35 to 40 mph, although that was too fast.

Ms Tumwijukye, 50, of Bristol, was originally from Uganda. She was crossing the road when the collision occurred. She suffered multiple skull fractures and a serious brain injury.

Lord Pentland told Shirley: "I accept this accident, as well as having such tragic consequences for the deceased lady, has had a major effect on you and you are genuinely remorseful."

"I also take account of the unfortunate length of time it has taken to bring this matter to trial."

Defence counsel Brian McConnachie QC said: "This is a matter which has been hanging over him since September 2013."

Shirley was fined £150 and had three penalty points put on his licence.