Brian McLaughlin sustained the horrific injuries during a brawl with well-known thug, Robert Murray.

Murray, 28, had been out of jail just four months when he committed the drink-fuelled attack on his victim, who he had been enjoying drinks with earlier that evening.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last Tuesday how Murray had a record “predominantly for violence and use of weapons”.

The court heard that April 19 was a “lovely day,” leading to Murray and his partner having a party out the back of their Bellsmyre flat.

Along with friends, the couple’s upstairs neighbours were invited.

But after leaving the party and going to bed, Mr McLaughlin and his partner were later awoken by the continued noise of the party downstairs.

This led to Mr McLaughlin banging on the floor, indicating for the revellers to keep the noise down.

A short time later, the pair were woken again, with Murray banging at their front door.

Mr McLaughlin’s partner answered and tried to get the irate and drunk Murray to calm down, leading him downstairs.

But the thug demanded the complainer came to the door – Mr McLaughlin came downstairs and followed the accused.

Noticing he had a bottle, Mr McLaughlin shouted at Murray about the noise he was making, before the pair engaged in a “struggle”.

Prosecuting, Malcolm MacLeod said: “During this, the accused repeatedly punched and kicked the complainer on the body. A knife was then produced, but it is not clear who initially produced it.

“However, the accused did have it and repeatedly struck the complainer on the body with it, using a stabbing and slashing movement.

“This caused the complainer to fall to the ground, raising his left arm to protect his head and body, but the accused continued to assault him and stamped on his head, rendering him unconscious.” Mr McLaughlin remembers nothing of the event after that, however, court heard how his partner intervened, stopping Murray’s onslaught of violence, before the thug fled.

He was later found at his father’s house and arrested. However, Murray managed to break free from the grasp of one officer whilst handcuffed and fled the scene. This led to a short chase, after which he was found and again detained.

Defending, Brian McGuire said Murray knew the outcome of the attack was “inevitable,” and called the whole event “most unfortunate”.

He told the court how his client had been released from police custody after being held for four months in connection with another matter that was subsequently dropped by the Crown Office. Mr McGuire added: “He was released from jail and was addressing issues, trying to create stability. The parties were friendly and there were no difficulties whatsoever between them – so for this to develop as it did is most unfortunate.

“I understand this was a lovely day and that the complainer and partner came to join the party for a bit. They then went home and it was the early hours of the morning when this developed. A considerable amount of drink had been taken.” Appearing from custody, Murray “understood” it was a “very serious matter,” but was “of the view that he acted in self defence”.

Mr McGuire said: “He knows he went over the score though and he accepts that. The consequences will be quite far reaching for him. Inevitably a lengthy sentence will follow. His relationship is at an end and he will have lost his home.” Court heard that, amongst one of his sentences, Murray had previously been sentenced to three-years-and-six-months.

Sentencing Murray to three years in prison, Sheriff David Clapham told him he had considered “very carefully” all circumstances surrounding the incident.

He added: “I’m very conscious of the nature of violence represented. I’m also concerned about the previous convictions you have.”