A THUG is back behind bars after a vicious “car-jacking” in Huddersfield.

A female community mental health worker was attacked and beaten by Mark Greenwood, who tried to steal her car as she returned to her vehicle from a home visit, a court heard.

The 54-year-old victim realised two men were walking behind her in Whitestone Lane, Fartown, on the afternoon of March 28 as she walked towards her parked Audi.

One man then walked away but the other continued behind her and after she opened the driver’s door with her remote key fob and got inside, the door suddenly, in her words, “flew open” again, prosecutor Patrick Gallagher told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

Her attacker, Greenwood, grabbed the keys and took hold of her clothes, pulling her so violently out of the car she fell to the ground, banging her head.

She was petrified and began screaming for help with Greenwood telling her to shut up.

When she tried to get up he punched her to the chest knocking her back down and at some point either stamped on or kicked her right ankle.

Greenwood then got into the car and was fumbling with the keys when his victim bravely tried to grab them back from him before she was punched again to her chest.

Mr Gallagher said she could not let go of the keys because her jewellery had become entangled in the key ring and when she was knocked to the ground again the fob snapped.

Greenwood then said: “It’s not worth it” and flung the broken fob down before walking off towards a house nearby.

His victim contacted the police and he was quickly arrested in the area.

The court heard Greenwood had previous convictions for dishonesty including sentences totalling seven and-a-half years imposed in 2005 for robbery, attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

Greenwood, 37 of Longroyd Crescent, Slaithwaite, admitted assault with intent to rob and was jailed for four years four months.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, said it was a “dreadful offence” involving a sustained and serious attack on a “vulnerable person performing a public service in her work.”

Stephen Grattage, for Greenwood, said he had managed to stay out of trouble for a couple of years but alcohol was a problem for him.

That day he had been upset by an attack on him but was unable to explain why he had done what he had.