A driver who mowed down a man said to have brutally slashed him shortly before could be facing jail.

Derek Stanners repeatedly hit his alleged assailant, who had been a passenger in the Mazda before storming out after an argument.

A judge heard how the man was "lifted into the air" at one stage during the incident late at night in Airdrie, Lanarkshire on June 25 2022.

He yelled at Stanners: "You better phone an ambulance. You have broken my leg." He later needed hospital treatment for fracture.

Mechanic Stanners was arrested - he made a number of comments including a claim someone else had been driving at the time.

But, he on Thursday pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting the man to his severe injury and dangerous of his life during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

It was also accepted he was under the influence of drink and drugs at the time.

Stanners's lawyer went on to give background to the incident.

Euan Dow, defending, said the men had been together before a row erupted in the car and cash was demanded from Stanners.

The defence advocate: "The argument continued, the man got out and went to the driver's side.

"He struck Stanners through the open window with a knife causing significant injury to his face.

"He needed almost 50 stitches for the wound.

"Given the response then by Stanners was not instant, it is accepted provocation, in the legal sense, cannot apply.

"But for the conduct of this man, however, the assault on him would not have happened.

"It is accepted the response by Stanners was excessive."

Stanners, of Caldercruix, Lanarkshire, had turned up to court with a large suitcase preparing to be remanded in custody.

But, Lord Arthurson accepted a request by Mr Dow not to lock Stanners up pending sentencing.

The judge told him: "I am prepared in the circumstances to allow bail, but you should not read anything into that at all."

Stanners will return to the dock on December 21 in Livingston.