A VALE teenager left a man scarred for life after an unprovoked attack at a Balloch pub.

Lewis Morgan smashed two glass tumblers on his victim’s head in the late-night attack.

A court hearing was told the victim of the assault, Jonathan O’Rourke, had gone to the bar with a colleague for a few drinks after finishing work, while Morgan had been part of a group in the pub who had been drinking for some time.

First offender Morgan pleaded guilty to assaulting the man to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement when he appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on January 21.

The attack happened at the Glenroy Bar within the Lomond Park Hotel on May 22 last year.

Kevin Doherty, prosecuting, told the court the victim and his colleague had described Morgan and his friends as “drunk and hyper, jumping about and stamping their feet”.

Mr Doherty said the incident happened after Morgan pushed another man, causing him to stumble into Mr O’Rourke, who told the second man to “watch what he was doing”.

“The accused took offence at this and told Mr O’Rourke to shut up,” Mr Doherty continued.

“The accused is described as being ‘in Mr O’Rourke’s face’, holding two glass tumblers in his left hand.

“Mr O’Rourke said the accused moved to push him, and that in an attempt to defend himself he grabbed the accused’s hand.

“The accused then struck Mr O’Rourke to the right side of his face with the tumblers.”

At that point others who were in the bar intervened, and Morgan left, while Mr O’Rourke went to the Vale of Leven Hospital’s minor injuries unit for treatment to lacerations on his forehead and cheek.

Police were called to the scene, and after speaking to witnesses they went to Morgan’s home in Kirstie Place.

There, Mr Doherty said, they found a driving licence in Morgan’s name lying in the common close, apparently smeared with blood.

Inside the flat they found Morgan, along with items of clothing which also looked to be blood-stained, while Morgan also had lacerations to his left hand.

“Mr O’Rourke received seven stitches to a 2.5-inch wound on the right side of his forehead,” Mr Doherty added.

“The injury to his forehead will result in a permanent scar.

“Four minor lacerations to his face, consistent with broken glass, were closed with glue.”

Morgan’s solicitor, Stephen McGuire told the court his client worked full time, and asked for him to be granted bail.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told Morgan: “You are 19, and I’m told you have no previous convictions.

“I am required to obtain reports. I don’t know what those reports are going to contain; all I can properly say at the moment is that standing the plea of guilty, I will have to consider every possible sentencing option before selecting one.”

Morgan, who was released on bail, will return to court on February 18 for sentencing, when Mr McGuire is expected to say more on his client’s behalf.