A THUG inflicted life changing injuries on a brave mum after she recognised him during a callous robbery attack in Catrine.

James McMurdy could be facing a life sentence for the “barbaric” murder bid on Senga Houston, who he attacked ten times with a hammer.

Desperate for cash after he faced eviction from his flat, the 40-year-old raided the Premier store in November, leaving his 63-year-old victim needing lifelong treatment.

A judge watched horrific footage of the attack at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, which was described by McMurdy’s own lawyer as ‘as bad as you see in these courts’.

Senga spent two months in hospital and still suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. She may need care for the rest of her life.

The ordeal emerged as McMurdy yesterday (Tuesday) pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted murder. The tattooed thug – who already had a history of violence – could face an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) when he returns to the dock in June.

She was there alone around 2.40pm last November 5 when McMurdy came in through the back of the shop.

He was clutching a hammer and a knife with his face covered with a piece of bedsheet.

McMurdy moved Senga towards the counter and demanded she open the till.

He eventually stuffed around £500 into his pocket.

The court was then shown CCTV footage of what unfolded next – described by Lord Mulholland as “graphic”.

McMurdy yesterday (Tuesday) sat in the dock and refused to look at the screens as it was played.

Senga appears distressed as she initially covers her face with her hands.

McMurdy meantime is clocked trying to rip the cover from a cigarette display.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing then told the hearing: “He placed both hands around the hammer, drawing it above his head before striking her causing her to fall to the ground.

“She attempted to cover her head with her hands, but McMurdy moved them away and struck her a further nine times with the hammer.”

This included McMurdy continuing to smack Senga as she lay motionless on the floor.

The thug fled, but a shopper soon came in and heard the blood-soaked victim’s groans.

A 999 call was made and Senga was found to be “unresponsive, but breathing”.

She was rushed to intensive care in Glasgow suffering from “life threatening” injuries.

A large scale hunt was meantime sparked to catch McMurdy.

A CCTV check clocked him leaving his nearby home shortly before the raid and going into the shop.

Police later swooped at his flat and a crazed McMurdy yelled: “Anyone comes in here, they are getting murdered.”

He was also clutching a knife – but one PC eventually convinced him to drop the blade and he was handcuffed.

McMurdy went on to make “full admissions” about the horror attack.

Mr Ewing said: “He stated that after he had the money out of the till, Senga Houston said his name which caused him to strike her with the hammer.

“He said he did not mean it and that he just wanted to knock her out to shut her up.”

McMurdy claimed he was unaware how many times he had smacked the shop worker – but thought it was only twice.

He added he had not been taking “medication for a while”.

Mr Ewing: “He also indicated he had been threatened with eviction, needed money, so he decided to rob the shop.”

Officers went on to find a knife, £485 and a blood stained hammer at his home.

Senga’s DNA was found on the weapon.

The court heard she was treated at hospital for a number of serious conditions including “multiple” skull fractures and a “complex brain injury”.

Senga was at one point placed in a medically induced coma.

She was only discharged from hospital on January 10 this year – two months after the attack.

Senga continues to be badly affected with her injuries described as “life changing”.

Mr Ewing: “It is possible she will require medical care for the rest of her life due to the incident.”

Senga’s sight has been permanently affected and she is no longer able to drive or work.

The advocate depute: “She suffered depression and post traumatic stress disorder after the incident.”

McMurdy’s own lawyer John McElroy called the incident “as bad as you see in these courts”.

Lord Mulholland said he was calling for reports which could lead to McMurdy being given an OLR.

The judge told McMurdy: “This has been horrific and life changing for the victim, who was doing no more than serve the public.

“What you did was brutal and barbaric.”

McMurdy was remanded in custody meantime.