THE son of Rangers legend Ally McCoist was slammed for leaving a pedestrian with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after mowing him down at high-speed in his sports car.

Argyll McCoist was blasted by a judge for racing through a red light and striking a 21-year-old man as he crossed a pedestrian crossing during a green man.

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew branded him “reckless” and “immature” for running the victim down then driving off in an uninsured £20,000 Audi 1 S Line TDI.

But the Sheriff said he could not jail the 20-year-old because parliament forbids it – as sentencing guidelines state criminals under the age of 21 should only be jailed if there is no viable alternative sentence available.

Last month McCoist, of Houston, Renfrewshire, admitted driving without insurance and causing serious injury by driving dangerously.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how the victim, Stephan Murdoch, was rushed to hospital after being struck in the village of Bishopton, on December 3, 2016.

Glasgow Times:

Argyll with dad Ally

He spent a week in hospital, six months on crutches, and had to quit his job as he could not stand for long periods and still feels pain in his leg to this day – 21 months later.

He also suffers memory and eyesight problems and bears the emotional scars of the incident, now rarely leaving the house and panicking when crossing the road.

McCoist sobbed in the dock as Procurator Fiscal Depute Pamela Brady said he was struck at around 9.30pm as he crossed at a pedestrian crossing in Bishopton’s Greenock Road, near its junction with Kingston Road.

The prosecutor added: “He 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 problems with sleep and becomes sick an nauseous when he lies down - this results in him becoming agitated.

Glasgow Times:

Victim Stephan Murdoch

“He has had to attend his GP regarding issues with sleep, anxiety, depression and pain.”

The court also heard that, despite his injuries and continuing difficulties, the victim had recently completed a 10k race, to prove to himself he could do it, but he had to walk most of the way.

When McCoist returned to the dock today to learn his fate, Defence QC John Scullion said he was remorseful over his actions, was willing to carry out unpaid work in the community as an alternative to prison, and could pay compensation to the victim at the rate of £100-per-month and was from “a supportive family.”

Ally McCoist was in the gallery to support his son.

Sheriff Pettigrew acknowledged McCoist had taken full responsibility for his actions, and had also missed out on a college scholarship in the USA as he was unable to obtain a visa.

Glasgow Times:

Victim Stephan Murdoch

He said: “You failed to maintain proper observations and failed to comply with a red traffic signal.

“You struck [the victim] – a pedestrian – as he was crossing the road in compliance with the pedestrian traffic light system showing green in his favour.

“As a consequence of being struck [the victim] sustained severe injuries.

“You drove at excessive speed, above the speed limit, failed to obey a red traffic signal, and failed to have proper regard to a pedestrian. “You accept full responsibility for your actions.

The sheriff said: “I am satisfied you are genuinely remorseful, bitterly regretting the manner of your driving which, while neither planned nor premeditated, was undoubtedly reckless and immature.”

He then placed McCoist on a Community Payback Order, telling him to do 280 hours’ unpaid work in the community within the next 10 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.

Glasgow Times:

Victim Stephan Murdoch

He also banned McCoist from driving for 42 months, reduced from 48 months as he admitted his guilt, and warned him he could still be jailed if he breaches the Orders, adding: “It would be open to me to impose a custodial sentence.

“A Community Payback order is not a soft option.

“The hours of unpaid work will afford you an opportunity of making recompense for your behaviour and of contributing to society as part of the penalty for your offending.”