A WOMAN has been left with lifelong injuries after a dangerous driver struck her in the driveway of an Ayrshire home.

Dale Harwood fled the scene in his blood-spattered BMW following the incident on May 28 last year, but was later traced in Coylton - and his car recovered in Mauchline.

The 24-year-old appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday, September 24, where he pleaded guilty to one charge of causing serious injury by driving dangerously.

The incident took place in the New Farm Loch area of Kilmarnock, procurator fiscal depute Gemma McKechnie told the court.

She explained that the woman who had been struck by Harwood's vehicle had gone to the area to visit family in an attempt to solve ongoing tensions.

As the woman arrived at the property, another person had come outside to speak to them in the front driveway area.

An argument ensued and at this point a BMW One Series being driven by Harwood entered the street.

The prosecutor said: "The car came into the street at speed and drove towards the house."

She added that the woman was still standing on the front monobloc when the vehicle entered the driveway and braked heavily.

However, she was still struck and fell to the ground. The victim was trapped between the vehicle and a garden fence - with her leg also stuck beneath the car.

Harwood, of Stoneyhill Avenue in Kilmarnock, left the vehicle before quickly returning to the car and fleeing from the scene at speed.

The other witness who had been standing outside the home then noticed that the woman who had been struck was bleeding heavily, which later resulted in her losing consciousness.

Police and an ambulance were called for and paramedics later arrived to take the woman to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment. Police were informed that the vehicle which struck her had left the scene.

The next morning, officers attended the hospital and spoke to the injured woman who gave a brief account of what happened before she was taken for surgery.

On May 30, 2023, Harwood was traced in Coylton and gave a no comment interview before he was cautioned and charged.

His car was later found in Mauchline and had a number of markings, as well as blood, which were consistent with striking someone.

The court was told that weather conditions on the night were clear and dry, and the injured woman had been wearing bright clothing at the time.

There was also almost 40 metres between Hardwood's car entering the street and reaching the driveway.

The woman's injuries were also disclosed to the court, with Ms McKechnie explaining she had suffered fractures to her thigh and shin bones as well as her pelvis.

After the collision, she had to undergo surgery and required a metal rod to be inserted and screwed in place. She also required a skin graft.

She required two months of bed rest following the crash and was on strong medication to manage her pain.

She also has a "permanent limp" and scarring from her knee down, the court heard.

The hearing was told that she remains on pain medication and is now suffering from depression and PTSD.

Sheriff Colin Bissett deferred sentence until next month and called for background reports to be prepared. 

Harwood was granted bail until then and disqualified from driving in the interim.