A DUMBARTON man who went out into the street for a pre-arranged ‘square go’ armed with two lethal kitchen knives has been told to expect a prison sentence.

John McGinley was left lying in a pool of blood at the scene of the fight after his abdomen was ripped open with another blade.

Paramedics treating the 37-year-old at the scene found McGinley with one knife in his pocket – while a second blade was found later after CCTV footage caught him throwing it down a nearby drain.

The incident happened in Brucehill Road and Cardross Road on April 20.

McGinley, of Rathlin Terrace, first appeared in private at Dumbarton Sheriff Court just three days after the incident – but at a hearing at the same court last Wednesday, he admitted carrying two sharpened knives in public.

Prosecutor Joanne Gilmour told the court: "He had been involved in a feud with another Dumbarton man, Darren Mundie, after a fall-out with a mutual friend.

“On this day he had received messages from Mundie on both Facebook and Messenger. McGinley feared he might suffer physical attack. He agreed to meet Mundie at 3.45pm after a message on Messager inviting him to have a 'square-go'.

"Alcohol had been consumed and he agreed to meet. He went to the kitchen and took two kitchen knives with him.

“When he arrived Mundie made a motion with his finger across his throat. Mundie arrived with his brother Paul Mundie. Darren Mundie shouted 'you're f****** dead, you're getting f****** murdered'.

"He saw Mundie was armed with what appeared to be a Stanley knife. [McGinley] then produced his two knives and a fight ensued.

"McGinley felt what he thought was a punch to his stomach. He walked away and suddenly collapsed.

“Police and ambulance paramedics attended and found the accused on the roadway.

“A member of the public told police that McGinley had a knife in his pocket and it was also spotted by paramedics.

“Police recovered a seven centimetre bladed knife from McGinley who told them 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I had it for my protection, now I might go to jail’.”

It was found that McGinley had suffered a laceration 20 centimetres – nearly eight inches – long to his abdomen, which required a number of stitches.

Ms Gilmour went on: "CCTV footage from a nearby store was viewed and the accused was seen to drop another knife into a drain.”

The second blade was recovered from the drain with the help of council staff.

McGinley was arrested on his release from hospital.

Defence lawyer Kenny McGowan told the court: "The narration from the Crown is accepted in full. Since the incident Darren Mundie was sentenced to 34 months by Sheriff William Gallacher and Paul Mundie was put on a drug treatment and testing order.

"My client's case has been resolved at the earliest possible opportunity."

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told McGinley: "Your record is not the worst I've ever seen, consisting mainly of road traffic matters, but this matter takes you into an entirely different league.

"There is a distinct possibility that I may have to send you to jail. The carrying of knives is abhorrent and often leads to a charge of murder in the High Court.

“In the end there may not be any alternative other than for me to impose a custodial sentence."

Sheriff Hendry deferred sentence until November 26 to obtain a full background report and a tagging order assessment. Bail was continued.