A MAN who tried to murder his friend in Balloch, and then sent photos of him badly beaten and lying in a pool of blood, has been jailed for four and a half years.

David Kennaway, 31, originally from Glasgow, attempted to murder DJ Barry Weir, 28, at Mr Weir's home in Miller Road, Balloch on April 18 and 19.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that when police arrived at Mr Weir's home Kennaway's hands, face, legs and clothing were covered in dried blood and there was blood on the walls, ceiling and floors.

Mr Weir was lying in a pool of blood with an injured arm, a wound to the back of his head and his face was swollen.

Part of his right ear was lying on the floor beside him.

Passing sentence on Tuesday, judge Lady Stacey told Kennaway: “You represent a risk to members of the public. There is no explanation for what you did to your friend.

“What you did was very dangerous. Perhaps it is fortunate that Mr Weir was not more badly injured than he was.”

Kennaway admitted attempting to murder Mr Weir, who had been a friend for 10 years.

He told police that Mr Weir had assaulted him and said: “I grabbed him and boom boom,” while making a head-butting motion.

Kennaway then added: “That's what happens when someone hits you, you defend yourself.”

Mr Weir was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow suffering from bleeding on the brain, a dislocated right elbow, and facial injuries which required surgery.

He has been left with permanent scarring and numbness to his right cheek.

Solicitor advocate Billy Lavelle, defending, said: “There is a background of drug addiction and mental health issues.

"He [Kennaway] has expressed his remorse. He had a difficult upbringing and started drinking seriously at first year in secondary school.

"He took drugs and alcohol that night and has no memory of what happened.”

Lady Stacey ordered Kennaway to be monitored in the community for three years after his release from prison.