A violent prisoner who battered a man during an attempted carjacking while on the run has been jailed for four years.

Kieran Kiely, 24, absconded from Castle Huntly open prison then four days later started talking to Christopher Smith, 37, about his Renault Clio 172 sport as he worked under the bonnet.

Minutes later Kiely became violent and told Mr Smith he was taking the car before punching him and then smashing a half brick into his face.

During the assault Kiely constantly demanded the car keys and threatened to kill his victim.

He lunged forward and managed to grab the car keys, house keys and mobile phone from Mr Smith's pockets and got into the Clio.

Mr Smith, who was bleeding heavily from a head wound, managed to reach under the bonnet and pull out leads which immobilised the car.

He then ran off shouting loudly for help. He was chased by Kiely and when he fell he was hit repeatedly on the head with the half brick and kicked several times on the body.

Kiely then returned to the car and repeatedly tried, without success, to start it. He was still trying to start the car when police arrived.

When he saw them approaching he got out the car and ran off throwing the keys away.

Kiely was arrested and when the clothes he was wearing were analysed his tracksuit top and trainers had Mr Smith's blood on them.

Mr Smith suffered bruising to his face and three wounds on his head, which will leave permanent scarring.

The High Court in Glasgow heard Kiely has previous convictions including car theft and assault and robbery.

Kiely admitted assaulting Mr Smith and robbing him of car keys, a mobile phone and a house keys and attempting to rob him of a car on July 17 in Telford Street, Bellshill, North Lanarkshire.

Defence counsel John McElroy, representing Kiely, said: "He fully accepts he should not have been at liberty at the time."

Mr McElroy said Kiely had absconded in order to see his grandmother who was seriously ill.

He added: "He understands this must have been a terrifying episode and is very remorseful.

"He took valium for the first time and alcohol before this incident and has no recollection of what happened."

Judge Lord Boyd told Kiely: "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a man who was unknown to you and going about his lawful business.

"It must have been a terrifying ordeal."