The father of killed toddler Brandon Muir has been jailed after leaving a father and son unconscious in a street attack.

John Garty, also known as John Muir, pleaded guilty to the assault to severe injury and permanent impairment on Andrew Ramsay, 36, and his 60-year-old father Arthur.

Garty, 29, of Muirfield Place, Dundee, lost his son Brandon at the hands of his mother's partner Robert Cunningham in March 2008.

His lawyer asked for him to be spared jail, citing the loss of Brandon and the lack of "support and counselling" he had received in the aftermath.

A sheriff said due to the "gravity of the offences" custody was the only option and sentenced Garty to three years and seven months in jail.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Garty followed his victims into the street claiming Andrew Ramsay had been "badmouthing him".

He then lashed out, repeatedly punching the younger man to the head and knocking him into the middle of the road.

Garty then launched an attack on Mr Ramsay Sr when he went to check how his son was.

Having knocked both men unconscious, leaving them "defenceless and unresponsive" according to witnesses, Garty continued to batter them around the head.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson told Dundee Sheriff Court Mr Ramsay Jr was knocked unconscious when his head clattered into the road.

She said: "The accused then repeatedly kicked him on the head during this. Mr Ramsay Sr then bent down to see how his son was and the accused kicked him on the face.

"He was rendered unconscious and knocked to the ground. The accused punched and kicked him on the face as he lay unconscious. They were both described as defenceless and unresponsive as they were being attacked.

"Andrew Ramsay sustained a fractured jaw and a cut to the back of his head. Arthur Ramsay sustained fractures to the right eye socket and cheekbone as well as a cut that required five stitches.

"An operation put metal plates in to his eye socket and he has permanent scarring and numbness."

Defence solicitor Keith Sym said: "He tragically lost his son several years ago, with the man responsible imprisoned for culpable homicide.

"He has never had any input to deal with that. He's never been to counselling or had the support. He has had tragedy in his life."

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael said: "The only appropriate method of dealing with you is a custodial sentence due to the gravity of the offences.

"One of the victims was left with a fractured cheekbone and eye socket and had to have a metal plate inserted.

"Your behaviour was totally unacceptable. It was over the top in the circumstances."