The widow of a motorcyclist killed in a crash has spoken out after the driver responsible admitted causing his death. Dad-of-two James Cochrane, 67, was riding his motorbike when he was involved in a collision with a van on Bellsdyke Road, Larbert, on November 7, 2024.
He was critically injured and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services. Kenneth Carty, 59, was arrested in October 2025 and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Widow's statement on grief
James' widow, Jackylyn Cochrane, said in a statement released by her lawyers Digby Brown: “For more than half my life I knew and loved James. We travelled the world together, we laughed and shared all of life’s moments including raising our family.
“He was a fantastic dad to our two daughters and nothing was ever too much bother for him. As a family our grief doesn’t end today and the future we had planned looks very different without James.
“We want to thank everyone for their support and kind words and request our privacy is respected.”
Court outcome and sentencing
Carty was bailed following the hearing and disqualified from driving. He is due to be sentenced at Falkirk Sheriff Court on September 16.
After James' death in 2024, his family paid tribute in a statement released through police. It read: “Jimmy was my rock, my best friend and my soulmate. Rest in peace my darling until we meet again, your loving wife Jackylyn and daughters Kelly and Stephanie. We love and miss you dad.”
