A DRIVER who mounted a pavement and knocked down a pedestrian had been suffering from a lack of sleep due to debt.

Derek Rigby, 49, hit Mustafa Yagoub as he was walking along Ruchill Street on April 7 last year.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court last week, it was revealed that Rigby had a clean licence and no previous convictions.

He appeared for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to dangerous driving.

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The prosecutor said: “The accused was driving his car on Maryhill Road. He turned left onto Ruchill Street.

"He travelled roughly 20 yards before mounting the pavement and striking a pedestrian from behind.

“This caused the man to fall to the ground and the accused’s vehicle came to a stop. Police and ambulance were contacted and attended.

"Police noted the accused appeared rather dazed in his demeanour.

“The pedestrian was confirmed to have escaped serious injury and was released from the scene and able to return home.”

A document check by police indicated that Rigby had no valid insurance policy in place.

He was taken to Cathcart police station. He was cautioned and charged to which he made no reply.

The sheriff asked the nature of the victim’s injuries, but the fiscal depute said there had been no statement taken due to Rigby’s early guilty plea.

His lawyer said: “He was in a state. He ran up a substantial amount of gambling debt and wasn’t sleeping.

“He just turned the corner and travelled along. Him being anxious and a lack of sleep contributed to this.

“The debt is under control, and he is paying it off in instalments.

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“He understands he will be disqualified from driving, and this won’t affect his employment.”

The sheriff told Rigby: “You admitted your guilt at the earliest opportunity, but this is serious. You did knock somebody down, although the injuries are not particularly serious given he was allowed to go on his way.

“It’s the lower end of dangerous driving in relation to culpability. It was a very short period of dangerous driving and you appear as a first offender.”

Rigby, of Blairdardie, was ordered to carry out 67 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim and fined £200. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.