Biker gets a fine through the post SIX months after his motorcycle was stolen in Edinburgh

Jonathan Bourne had just completed the North Coast 500

A BAFFLED biker got a fixed penalty notice through the post - six months after his ride was stolen from outside a Leith guesthouse.

Heartbroken Jonathan Bourne’s treasured Triumph was taken on the last night of his touring holiday last September.

Only for the engineer to get a ticket after cameras snapped it being ridden in a bus lane in Little France Drive this month.

“I still feel slightly guilty,” said Jonathan, 49. “I feel it’s still my bike and I’m worried this guy will get in an accident and someone gets hurt.

“I feel bad about it. I’d like to see it burnt out somewhere because then I know it’s not going to hurt anyone.”

Jonathan was on a stopover with friends on the way home after completing the North Coast 500 in September in memory of his dad and fellow biker John, who died last year aged 82.

He woke the next morning to find his £4,000 Triumph gone and only the link used to lock it left on the driveway.

“I was numb, it was a shock,” said Jonathan. “I didn’t know what to do but luckily my friend was there who was a little more level headed.”

After reporting the theft to police, Jonathan had to hire a car to drive back to Lincolnshire to care for mum Alison, 77.

He told his insurance company who processed his claim and moved on - until receiving the £60 fixed penalty notice through the post.

The Evening News has been told Jonathan’s distinctive purple Street Triple has been spotted being ridden by a man in an orange helmet and black jacket around south Edinburgh.

“I just don’t want anyone to get hurt,” said Jonathan. “It’s fairly stressful.”

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers are still investigating the theft of Jonathan’s bike and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

“Police were called around 5.20am on Friday, 13 September, 2019, following a report of a theft of a motorbike on East Hermitage Place, Edinburgh,” added the spokeswoman.

“The incident happened between 10pm on Thursday, 12 September and 5am on Friday, 13 September. Enquiries are ongoing.”

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh City Council confirmed its ticketing system relies on DVLA keeper records to know where to send a bus lane fine.

She also assured fines can be appealed on the council website. The DVLA has been approached for comment.