A MAN who repeatedly stabbed someone in the head with a pair of scissors before fleeing to evade capture has been jailed.

Ryan McLean, 39, from Brighton, was caught on CCTV chasing his victim into a convenience store in South Street in Portslade on February 27, before viciously assaulting him in a stock room.

He had been previously spotted chasing his victim’s car at high speed through Portslade shortly before midday, then getting out and continuing his chase on foot.

Despite a shopworker’s attempt to stop McLean from chasing the victim, a 29-year-old man, he forced his way through and carried out the assault.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries, while McLean fled the scene.

After a manhunt, including a £3,000 reward from Crimestoppers, he was arrested in the Dingle area of Liverpool with help from Merseyside Police.

On being arrested McLean asked the arresting officers: “Is this about that thing down south?”

McLean pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to 33 months in prison for GBH and six months for possession of an offensive weapon.

McLean also received an additional four-week jail sentence for breaching a suspended prison sentence for possession of a knife and drug driving.

All three sentences will run concurrently.

Detective Inspector Neil Phillips said: “Ryan McLean is a violent offender with a significant criminal history and we are pleased to have taken him off the streets where he can cause no more harm to the public.

“Despite his attempts to evade capture, we and our partners in Merseyside Police were able to track him down and bring him to justice.

“The age-old message that “you can run but you can’t hide” still rings true and this sentence should serve as a warning to anybody attempting to hide from the law that they will be found and justice will be served.”