Grant Whyte (22), of North Park, Auchtermuchty, and Alan Duffus (62), of Main Street, Kinnesswood, are due to be sentenced on December 3 following the death of 67-year-old Senga Elder.

Whyte was found guilty by a High Court jury of driving at excessive speed over three miles on the Falkland to Auchtermuchty road on January 24 last year, braking suddenly, losing control and mounting the pavement, whereby Mrs Elder was struck by the car and died from her injuries.

Duffus was cleared of causing Mrs Elder's death, but was found guilty of driving at excessive speeds, repeatedly crossing over the central line, and causing a woman driver to brake suddenly and swerve to avoid a collision.

An allegation that the two men were racing each other was deleted from the charges by the jury of 10 women and five men, and Duffus was found not guilty of failing to stop after the fatal accident.

Following the verdict the court heard that Duffus, a former motorcycle racing champion, had a previous conviction for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving in 1980.

Both men have been banned from driving while they await their sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh.

After the verdicts, Chief Inspector John Macdonald of Fife Police said: "Our thoughts go to the family of Senga Elder, and the many friends she had in Auchtermuchty, who lost a lovely lady on that day.

"Nothing will bring her back, but these convictions may provide some closure.

"This was not a road accident, it was a brutal criminal act.

"All this lady was doing was walking home after a day's work and her life was taken in a moment of totally-avoidable madness.

"If it were not for the actions of Whyte and Duffus, Senga Elder would still be with her family."