A Serial offender with a history of violent crime chased a group of strangers down a Dumbarton street while waving a meat cleaver.

Drunken Joseph Melville took the weapon from a friend before flashing it at his terrified victim on a Dumbarton street.

The 32-year-old previously pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by brandishing the meat cleaver, and to being in possession of the eight-inch blade. He appeared for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week.

Sarah Healing, fiscal depute, told the court the incident took place on Risk Street at around 8pm on February 3 this year.

The area was quiet and it was dark. Melville’s victim was walking home, accompanied by two friends.

Ms Healing said: “They became aware of the accused and another male walking towards them on the other side of the road. Joseph Melville walked across the road and approached [the complainer]. He was noted to be in possession of a bladed article, which he brandished at the man.

“[The complainer] and his friends recognised this item to be a meat cleaver and noticed that the accused was behaving erratically and appeared to be jumpy.” Melville’s victim and his friends ran from the scene. The court heard he attempted to chase them and called the men “dafties” before stopping and returning to his own friends.

Melville then made his way towards High Street.

Police were called and attended at the home of one of Melville’s associates two days later, where the meat cleaver was found.

Melville was detained on February 9.

Roddy Boag, defending, said his client had been drinking a ‘substantial amount’ prior to the offence, which appeared to be a random attack.

Mr Boag told the court: “There is no connection between the accused and the complainer.

“There is no history between the accused and the complainer. There is no lingering difficulty between the parties in this case. That makes it all the more inexplicable.” Sheriff Maxwell Hendry noted that Melville had an ‘atrocious’ criminal record, ‘peppered with violent crimes and crimes involving weapons’.

He deferred sentence in order for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report. Melville, whose address was given as HMP Barlinnie, will return to court to hear his fate on October 23.