A SERIAL attacker from Ayr who slashed a fellow thug in jail could be facing a life sentence.

Mark McSorley repeatedly struck Kyle Beard with a makeshift weapon of a handle with two blades attached.

The 31 year-old attacked his victim in B Hall at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow last October 15 as evening meals were being dished out.

After being held, McSorley briefly explained what happened by stating: "It is an outside thing."

Beard, 27, was awaiting sentencing at the time for the attempted murder of Francis McCann in Glasgow's Merchant City in March 2019.

Beard - who was later locked up for five years - stabbed Francis in the neck hours after a football match between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead.

It emerged that a severe neck wound was also one of the injuries the thug suffered after being attacked by McSorley.

It is thought he needed around 40 stitches following the slashing.

Prosecutor Chris McKenna told the High Court in Glasgow that Beard had refused to help police with their investigations.

McSorley was back behind bars having repeatedly stabbed Ryan Cameron in Racecourse Road, Ayr on February 8 last year.

Mr Cameron was attacked after a heated row on social media with a friend of McSorley.

He was pounced upon by three individuals, including McSorley, who was armed with a large knife.

Mr McKenna said: "He had multiple stab wounds - five in total to the face, abdomen, back and thigh."

McSorley pleaded guilty to assaulting Beard and Mr Cameron, leaving them severely injured and permanently disfigured.

The court heard he already had a string of violent convictions including one which landed him a jail term of seven and a half years at the High Court.

He was only freed from HMP Shotts towards the end of 2020.

Mr McKenna said the Crown was moving for a risk assessment order to be carried out on McSorley.

This could eventually lead to an order for lifelong restriction being imposed.

Lorenzo Alonzi, defending, said: "With regards to the risk assessment, he is somewhat disappointed in that, as he was hopeful of the whole matter being dealt with today."

Judge Douglas Brown adjourned the case until October.

McSorley was remanded in custody meantime.