A VICIOUS thug who burned a man to death when he was just a schoolboy has been caged for an attack in Paisley which left his girlfriend with a fractured eye socket.

Daniel Howie, now 34, was just 15 when he killed David Love in 1998 by torching the 48-year-old former shipyard worker’s flat.

Howie, who was playing truant at the time, returned to the scene when he heard fire engines and watched as Mr Love’s body was carried out on a stretcher after emergency crews tackled the blaze.

He was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of culpable homicide and was caged for five years in 1999.

Once released back into society, he tried to kill again, launching a savage attack on David Foley in a snooker club in 2008.

Howie was given a 13-year sentence for that attack – a 10-year jail term and a three-year licence.

But he was released early, in March last year, and attacked girlfriend Lindsey McIntyre in Gauze Street, leaving her with a fractured eye socket.

He denied the attack on her, as well as five other charges that included two assaults, resisting arrest, stealing a mobile phone and making threats, but was convicted of the offences, all of which took place on December 17 last year, following a trial at Paisley Sheriff Court.

The court heard Howie argued with Ms McIntyre in the town before turning violent.

CCTV footage of Ms McIntyre clawing at Howie’s face was shown to the court and he could be seen punching her.

The jury of six men and nine women found Howie guilty of assaulting Ms McIntyre, under provocation, to her severe injury, as well as the other five charges against him.

After hearing that Howie has three previous convictions for domestic abuse offences, one for culpable homicide and one for attempted murder, Sheriff Colin Pettigrew adjourned the case ahead of sentencing.

When Howie returned to the dock yesterday to learn his fate, defence solicitor Elaine Rae said he was not completely to blame for his actions.

She added: “The jury’s verdict was that the assault was committed under provocation.

“Both parties had set out with the intention of having a nice day but circumstances transpired where Mr Howie was, in essence, provoked into reacting to a situation initiated by the complainer.

“In this case, had there not been provocation, in all the circumstances, Mr Howie would not be where he is now but he has to accept responsibility for his actions.”

Sheriff Pettigrew jailed Howie, who showed no emotion as he was caged, for a total of 40 months for the offences.

As he passed sentence, Sheriff Pettigrew appeared to hit out at the fact he had been released early from his attempted murder conviction, commenting: “You were released on licence in March, 2016 and, if not, wouldn’t have been at liberty to commit any offences.”