A DANGEROUS driver who left a woman with lifelong injuries after striking her with his car has avoided jail.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court previously heard how 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.

Having pleaded guilty to one charge of causing serious injury by driving dangerously on September 24 this year, the 24-year-old returned to the dock on Monday, October 21, to be sentenced for the offence.

During his prior hearing, the court was told that Harwood had struck the woman with his vehicle while travelling in the New Farm Loch area of Kilmarnock.

Procurator fiscal depute Gemma McKechnie explained that the woman who was hit 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.

Following further enquiries, Harwood was traced in Coylton two days following the incident 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 woman's injuries were also disclosed to the court during the 24-year-old's previous appearance, 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.

When Harwood returned for sentencing this week, after background reports were made available, Sheriff Colin Bissett opted against a custodial sentence.

Instead, he was made subject to a community payback order which will include 18 months of social work supervision.

The Kilmarnock man will also be required to remain within his home address between the hours of 7pm-7am each day for the next six months.

Harwood was also handed a compensation order, in respect of the victim, of £2,800.

He was also banned from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of 40 months.