A THUG was today jailed for eight years and eight months for trying to kill a man by running him over with his own car.

Steven Payne, 37. reversed at terrified Andrew O'Donnell, who was trying to stop his car being stolen, during the incident in April last year.

Mr O'Donnell had earlier clung on desperately to his Volkswagen Polo as Payne took it from outside his home in Castle Gardens, Paisley, Renfrewshire.

Judge Lord Matthews told Payne: “I accept you didn't go out intentionally to try to murder someone. You acted with very great recklessness as to the safety of your victim who was simply trying to stop you stealing his car. He could very easily have been killed.

“Thankfully his injuries were not very serious, but that is no thanks to you.”

Lord Matthews ordered Payne to be monitored in the community for three years after his release from prison.

Payne was also banned from driving for life.

His 26-year-old victim told the High Court in Glasgow he feared for his life when Payne reversed his car at him as he lay stricken on the road.

Mr O'Donnell said: “If I had not jumped onto the pavement, I would have been under the car.”

Payne denied attempted murder – insisting he had only gone out to steal that night – but a jury found him guilty.

Payne said: “I did not intend to hit him or hurt anyone in any shape or form. I feel disgusted at his injuries. I did not attempt to murder anyone.”