A MAN was seriously injured after an attacker burst into the taxi he was travelling in and battered him with a weapon.

The victim, 57, was treated in hospital for facial injuries after being randomly targeted while the black hackney cab waited at traffic lights in Glasgow's south side in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The attacker opened the taxi door as it sat on Battlefield Road, at the junction with Cathcart Road, and repeatedly hit the man with a "heavy object", police say.

He then ran off and was last spotted heading towards the Victoria Infirmary.

The victims wife, also 57, was sitting beside him during the assault but she was not injured.

The taxi driver took the couple to Cathcart Police Station and the injured man was then taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment before being allowed home.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information on the assault to contact them.

The attacker is described as being in his 30s, around 5ft 6 or 5ft 7, has a slim build with short dark hair and was wearing a dark shirt and dark trousers.

Detective Constable Ian Thomson at Cathcart CID said: "We are currently carrying out enquiries in the area and examining CCTV to try and gain information in what would appear to be a totally random attack with no apparent motive.

"I’d like to speak to anyone who was in the area of Battlefield Road prior to this incident taking place and may have seen the suspect hanging around the area. I’d also like to speak to anyone who actually witnessed the assault or who saw the suspect running off afterwards.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cathcart CID via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.