A MAN jumped out of a car and began battering a former friend with a hammer after spotting him on a Greenock street.

Gary Bradley rained down multiple blows on the man in broad daylight as shocked witnesses looked on in horror.

Bradley, 33, masked his face and pursued the man during the appalling incident on Murdieston Street and Wellington Street which saw both men fighting each other.

He sustained a life-threatening puncture wound to his neck from which he became 'unresponsive' and had to be rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

Ironically, Bradley had been on his way to Inverclyde Royal to visit his ailing father when he saw the man and decided to go after him.

Prosecutor Emma Jeffrey told Greenock Sheriff Court: "He was in possession of a hammer and he ran towards the other male and began to fight with him.

"The other male came into the possession of a screwdriver.

"The accused repeatedly struck the male with the hammer and was repeatedly struck with the screwdriver."

The court heard how a female friend was giving Bradley a lift to the hospital when he told her to pull over at around 5.30pm on April 6 last year.

He and the other man proceeded to repeatedly strike each other with the weapons.

Fiscal depute Miss Jeffrey said: "The accused made his way back to the female witness's car, covered in blood.

"Numerous police units were actioned to attend.

"The accused was found within the female witness's house, badly injured.

"An ambulance was immediately called due to the seriousness of his injuries.

"He began to feel faint and became unresponsive."

As well as the puncture wound, Bradley's neck was also swollen and he had a ten centimetre laceration to to his left arm and two other cuts to his right cheek.

A doctor concluded that his injuries were potentially life-threatening and he was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the court was told.

The other man had a 3cm cut to his left forearm which was treated with sutures.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "His mental health has been problematic. There was a diagnosis of psychosis, perhaps linked to a previous lifestyle."

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said: "I have to say this is very concerning that he should be out on the street striking someone with a hammer.

"I think I should call for a report to see how his mental health is and consider what measures should be in place after his release from prison.

"There is a pattern of criminal conduct which is all very volatile.

"There is a terrible history of serious violence and the risk to the public is something that I am duty bound to consider."

Sentence has been deferred until May 8.