THE killer driver jailed last week for the culpable homicide of Greenock man Adam Anderson has been attacked in prison, the Telegraph can reveal.

Jordan Cunningham was slashed within HMP Greenock on Monday — just three days after receiving a nine-year sentence at the High Court.

Cunningham, 28, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court on Tuesday on an unrelated matter, with the top of his head completely wrapped in bandages.

A prison source told the Tele that his ear was 'hanging off' after the attack.

They added: "He was slashed in the prison on Monday.

"People have been out to get him and it was only a matter of time before he got jumped.

"It's no surprise to anyone that it happened so soon after he got sentenced."

Cunningham — who had been accused of murdering 22-year-old Mr Anderson — pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide, and to attempting to defeat justice by torching an Audi A4 car.

He was brought to the sheriff court on separate charges of stealing a car and driving dangerously at speeds of around 90mph in Gourock.

Cunningham was accused of swerving across the carriageway on Cloch Road and the A78 whilst accelerating away from police in July last year.

His not guilty plea to stealing an Audi A5, tendered through lawyer Amy Spencer, was accepted by the Crown and the dangerous driving charge was reduced to careless driving, with reference to 90mph speeds removed.

Solicitor Miss Spencer told the court that Cunningham had admitted to a road traffic violation which was 'at the lower end of the scale'.

Sheriff James Varney imposed ten penalty points on the convicted killer's driving licence and fined him £800 with no time to pay — meaning that the alternative of 28 days imprisonment was levied instead.

On the day he killed Mr Anderson, Cunningham had driven with two pals to Broomhill Court, off Ann Street, for an apparently arranged confrontation with Mr Anderson and another man amid an ongoing feud on January 2.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how Mr Anderson and his friend — who was carrying a bladed item — ran at 'full pelt' towards the black Audi moments before the 'bang' of a collision was heard by 'shocked' bystanders.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We were made aware of an assault on a 28-year-old man within HMP Greenock shortly after 3.10pm on Monday, 5 December.

"The man was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital for treatment.

"A 35-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the incident."

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: "We do not comment on individuals in our care.

"The Scottish Prison Service takes a zero tolerance approach to violence.

"We continue to work with individuals in our care to reduce violence and offer support to those affected by it.

"All instances of alleged violence are reported to Police Scotland."

A Telegraph investigation last month revealed that 22 weapons — as well as thousands of drug items — have been seized from inmates within Greenock Prison over the last two years.