Raymond Docherty was locked up in 2012 for a savage assault in the town which saw him jump off a wall to stamp on a young woman’s head.

He was caged for the attack and was given further time behind bars for a number of other assaults.

Despite being told he would spend 35 months in Polmont Young Offenders Institute for his thuggish antics, Docherty was released early from custody and returned to his home town.

And, Paisley Sheriff Court heard this week, had to go shoplifting as he had no money to buy food.

When the 20-year-old was arrested by police after stealing from the Iceland store on Johnstone High Street, he had been let out of jail 490 days early.

Terry Gallanagh, defending, said this week: “He has previous convictions for stealing on his record but not for shoplifting.

“Frankly he had no money for food, he had attended foodbanks but there was no food to be given to him.

“Accordingly he was desperate so he stole food.” The lawyer said that Docherty, who also used to live in Paisley’s Killoch Avenue and Abercorn Street, had suffered injuries to his head and face.

And he said that a security guard involved in catching Docherty in the act could be charged with assaulting him over the incident.

He said his client’s record of previous convictions was “a litany of disorder and violence” and said that, when sentenced for his actions, he would “need support” if he were to be released back into the community.

Sheriff David Pender remanded Docherty in custody and ordered him to be assessed by social workers ahead of sentencing.

As he did so, he said: “For someone so young I am appalled at the level of violence in your previous convictions.” Docherty will return to court next month to learn his fate.