A JAILED thug who has six convictions for assault has attacked a fellow inmate at Greenock Prison.

Donald McAllister punched Martin Docherty within the jail's exercise yard as a simmering feud between the pair boiled over.

Prison officers rushed to pull the men apart to prevent any more violence during the flashpoint incident, the sheriff court heard.

McAllister — who was on two bail orders regarding other criminal matters at the time — was that custody was the 'only appropriate disposal' in the case.

His lawyer, Gerry Keenan, said: "There is a background of animosity here and Mr McAllister requested a move to another prison to avoid further conflict and this request was denied.

"An exchange of words resulted in Mr McAllister reacting in the way he did."

McAllister assaulted Docherty at around 9.30am on April 21.

He subsequently received a nine-month prison sentence in June for a separate crime of violence.

Prosecutor Andrew Brown told the court: "The accused and the prisoner Docherty were outside walking side by side in the exercise yard for their daily allocated exercise period.

"The accused punched Mr Docherty, causing him to stumble sidewards.

"Prison officers observed this altercation and intervened before any further altercation."

Solicitor Mr Keenan said: "He was punished internally within the prison and had a 14-day loss of privileges and thereafter moved to Inverness Prison, where his family was not able to visit him, so his punishment by the prison was significant."

Sheriff Mark Thorley told McAllister: "Clearly you were subject to bail at the time.

"I note your previous convictions, six of which are for assault.

"The last one was at sheriff and jury level and you have had other custodial sentences.

"The only appropriate disposal here is custody."

Sheriff Thorley sentenced McAllister to six months imprisonment.