A THUG who almost killed a man by stamping on his head has been jailed for more two years.

Kenneth Bridges was high on drink and Valium when he stamped on the man’s head six times as he lay unconscious before punching him nine times while out cold.

The 22-year-old was told by sheriff last week that he was lucky not to have killed his victim.

The sickening assault was captured in full on CCTV cameras at a social housing scheme in Tullibody.

Falkirk Sheriff Court was told that the footage showed the victim falling on his back in the street in Talisker, Tullibody, after a "remonstration" in which his sister had been seen trying to get her the victim away from her brother.

Prosecutor Ruaraidh Ferguson said all three people involved were "clearly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs" and after the man fell on his back on the road, the female stumbled and fell on her front.

Talking through the CCTV footage, which was played in court, Mr Ferguson said: "After this, both persons do not move, and appear to be unconscious.

"Immediately the accused runs over and attacks [the victim], 29, who is lying unresponsive, defenceless and motionless on his back.

"He leans over him and using his right hand, punches him five times. He then rises to his feet and proceeds to stamp on his head three times.

“He then drags the man's motionless body away from his sister, and then leans over him once more, punching him a further four times to the head and again rises to his feet and stamps on his head three more times."

Police received five anonymous calls reporting the "ongoing assault", and at one point Bridges is seen kicking a parked car before picking up and swinging a small child's scooter at the first floor window of a nearby house - just missing the glass - and making gestures at the window.

The court heard that police who rushed to scene found Bridges trying to pull the still-unconscious victim to his feet. Bridges told police that the injuries to the man were as a result of him falling.

Mr Ferguson said no-one in the street was "forthcoming" about what had occurred, which is why the CCTV, belonging to the Ochil View Housing Association, was carefully checked.

The victim was taken to hospital with head injuries, but discharged himself after doctors ordered a brain scan. He later said he had "freaked" after doctors mentioned the procedure.

Bridges, of Cambus, pleaded guilty to assault to injury in the incident on March 18, 2018, and using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Paul Smith, defending, said Bridges, an unemployed father-of-one, had "no recollection" of the incident and had been under the influence of both Valium and alcohol.

He said the accused had instructed pleas of guilty as soon as he was shown the CCTV.

Mr Smith said: "He said he had no desire to see the CCTV again, because he is disgusted at his behaviour."

Sheriff John Mundy jailed Bridges for 27 months, and ordered him to be subject to 12 months' social work supervision on his release.

He said: "This was dreadful behaviour. The man might have died, quite easily. The fact that he didn't sustain more serious injuries than he did was simply a matter of good fortune."

Bridges showed no emotion as he was handcuffed and led to the cells.