David Pryce, 29, rained punches and kicks on 50-year-old John McCrae’s head and body, stamped on his head and repeatedly kicked him on the head during the unprovoked assault.

Pryce’s assault was so savage that it reopened two scars which McCrae already had on either side of his face, leaving him needing seven stitches to close the wounds.

And he now faces jail for the attack when he returns to the dock next month.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard this week that a drunken Pryce saw McCrae heading home one night.

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew was told that McCrae had also been drinking and was in a bad way, so Pryce began to help him back to his flat in the town’s Stock Street.

When they entered the common close of the block of flats where McCrae lived the pair exchanged words and a fight broke out.

Pryce got the better of McCrae but then continued a savage assault. He fled afterwards but was arrested a short time later, while McCrae was rushed to hospital.

Pryce was remanded in custody after being charged with carrying out a life-threatening assault on McCrae — who has been friends with Pryce’s mother for decades.

The court heard they are so close that McCrae spent Christmas Day with Pryce’s mum while he was behind bars awaiting trial for the assault.

He was due to go on trial at Paisley Sheriff Court this week but pled guilty to a reduced charge, and he also admitted shouting and swearing at the officer who arrested him.

Neil MacDonald, prosecuting, said: “They had a falling out between themselves.

“A — what’s often termed ‘square go’ — ensued between them.

“The accused got the better of that ‘square go’ and then, having the opportunity to leave the close, did not take it.” Mr MacDonald said that Pryce then attacked McCrae, knocking him to the floor with “a few punches about his head and body.” He said that, while McCrae lay defenceless on the ground, Pryce kicked him on the head three times before stamping on his head.

A neighbour witnessed the assault and called the police, who tracked Pryce down to a nearby street.

Pryce had McCrae’s blood on his trainers and scratches on his face he sustained during their fight.

McCrae was taken to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.

The scars which had burst open were sewn shut, while he had also suffered bruising to the back of his head.

Scott Banks, defending, said Pryce had initially been playing the Good Samaritan - seeing McCrae was “not in a particularly good condition” and “helping him get to the close.” But he said McCrae then “became aggressive towards him for a reason which he does not know and a fight started between them.” After hearing that Pryce has been jailed twice before for assault, Sheriff Colin Pettigrew remanded him in custody and deferred sentence until next month.

As he did so, he said: “There can only be one appropriate disposal.

“When you are released back into society, society requires some protection and you require some assistance.”