KNIFE THUG WHO LEFT BOY FIGHTING FOR LIFE SPARED JAIL

A GREENOCK knife thug who left a schoolboy fighting for life has been spared jail and allowed to enjoy the festive season with his family - as long as he’s home by 9pm each night.

Ryan Youden, pictured, was handed an electronic tagging curfew and unpaid work by Sheriff Michael Higgins for the crime of stabbing a now deeply-traumatised teenage victim to within a fraction of his heart.

The decision comes despite the sheriff being presented with a victim impact statement outlining the feelings of the attacked youngster and his family.