Uninsured motorist avoids jail over crossing collision

● Pedestrian hit after driver went through a red light

An uninsured motorist has been condemned for leaving a pedestrian with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after hitting him at high speed in his sports car.

Argyll Mccoist, 20 – the son of Rangers legend Ally Mccoist – drove through a red light and struck Stephan Murdoch as the 21-year-old used a pedestrian crossing at a green man in Renfrewshire in December 2016.

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew branded him “reckless” and “immature” for mowing down Mr Murdoch then driving off in his uninsured £20,000 Audi 1 S Line TDI.

But he said he could not jail him because Parliament forbade a prison sentence. Sentencing guidelines state criminals under the age of 21 should only be jailed if there is no viable alternative sentence available.

Last month Mccoist, from Houston in Renfrewshire, admitted driving without insurance and causing serious injury to Mr Murdoch by driving dangerously.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard Murdoch was rushed to hospital after being struck by Mccoist in the village of Bish- opton. Mr Murdoch spent a week in hospital and six months on crutches. He had to quit his job as he could not stand for long periods and still feels pain in his leg some 21 months later.

Mrmurdochalsohasmemory and eyesight problems.

Mccoist cried in the dock as Procurator Fiscal Depute Pamela Brady said Mr Murdochwasstruckabout9:30pmas he used a pedestrian crossing in Bishopton’s Greenock Road.

The prosecutor added: “He [Mr Murdoch] advises he does not go out as much as he used to.

“He becomes particularly anxious when he has to cross a road.

“He has also developed prob- lems with sleep and becomes sick and nauseous when he lies down.”

Sheriff Pettigrew placed Mccoist on a community payback order, telling him to do 280 hours’ unpaid work in the community within the next ten months.

He also placed him on a restriction of liberty order, which will see him electronically tagged and effectively under house arrest from 8pm to 5:30am every day for the next six months.

Mccoist was banned from driving for 42 months, reduced from 48 months as he admitted his guilt.

He was warned he could still be jailed if he breaches the orders.