A THUG has been jailed after he repeatedly punched a taxi driver on his head through the cab window as the vehicle was parked at a rank in Glasgow city centre.

Ian Higgins, 46, was sentenced to 80 days in prison by Sheriff Neil Mackinnon at Glasgow Sheriff Court for the “cowardly attack”.

The Procurator Fiscal depute told the court that Higgins’ victim parked his taxi at a rank outside The Millennium Hotel on West George Street at around 7.30pm on December 10.

The engine was off for only a few seconds when Higgins appeared and carried out the attack.

The court heard that the entire incident had been witnessed by an off-duty police officer.

The location where the attack took place was opposite the Glasgow Christmas markets which was packed with families over the festive period.

Higgins’ victim top was covered in blood and he a laceration at the tip of his nose.

His victim, however, required no medical treatment.

The Procurator Fiscal depute added that when police caught up with Higgins, of Brambling Road, Coatbridge, he made the statement: “If a car drives at me, what am I going to do not react?”

He was no cautioned at the time due to his level of intoxication.

Higgins defence agent said that his client appreciated the “seriousness” of the matter.

He added: “He was genuinely shocked at himself.”

He explained his client was unable to give an explanation as to why he reacted the way he did.

The court heard from Higgins’ defence agent that his client had been out drinking prior to the incident.

Sheriff MacKinnon described the incident as “a cowardly attack on a victim who was not able to defend themselves.”

He sentenced Higgins to a total of 80 days in prison and he was immediately take into custody.

His sentence included 40 days because he had committed the offence while he had been released on bail for another matter at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

His sentence was reduced from four months because he plead guilty for custody which is the earliest opportunity to do so.