A THUG left his girlfriend scarred for life after hitting her with a glass candle holder during a drunken row at their Johnstone home.

James Quinn “lost the plot” with Margaret Anne Edgar at their home in Cedar Avenue after a drinking session.

Ms Edgar is said to have lashed out at Quinn, causing him to lose his temper.

And, once the red mist descended, he picked up a candle holder and threw it at her head, leaving a huge gash.

Ms Edgar was taken to hospital, where medics used three stitches to seal the gaping wound.

The details emerged last week when Quinn, 32, appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court to be sentenced over the bust-up.

Procurator fiscal depute Colin Wilson said the incident took place at about 2.10am on June 11 this year.

The prosecutor told the court Quinn had thrown the candle holder in Ms Edgar’s general direction during the heated row but hit her on the head, leaving the 4cm gash that will permanently scar.

The police were called and Quinn was held over the incident.

He was originally charged with assaulting Ms Edgar by pinning her against the wall and smashing the glass candle holder on her head, to her severe injury.

But he pleaded guilty to an amended charge of acting in a culpable and reckless manner by throwing it at her and causing it to hit her head, leaving her severely injured.

Defence solicitor Tony Callahan said Quinn, now of Well Street, Paisley, had since split from Ms Edgar due to special bail conditions imposed on him over the case.

The lawyer said his client wanted to get back with her, but had been unable to because of the restrictions, and would let some time pass before he tried to reconcile.

After hearing Quinn had been provoked, Sheriff Seith Ireland placed him on a Community Payback Order.

The sheriff said: “This will be as an alternative to custody because your record is becoming quite concerning to the court.”

He ordered Quinn to do 160 hours’ unpaid work, reduced from 180 as he admitted his guilt.