Kevin Kane was outraged that his former girlfriend had shacked up with Gary Townsend.

So the spurned 22-year-old lured Townsend to a secluded Paisley park just before midnight and battered him with a weapon.

Amanda Gallagher, prosecuting, said: “The complainer, at the time of the assault, resided with the former partner of the accused.

“The accused had made it clear prior to the date of the assault that he was not happy with that state of affairs.

“The complainer was concerned that the accused may resort to violence.” And Townsend’s fears proved to be true as he was attacked by Kane on September 21, 2013, after Kane had texted him the day before requesting a meeting.

Gallagher said: “He received texts from the accused.

“The accused indicated he was sorry for any difficulties between the parties and further hoped all matters could be forgotten about.

“The accused suggested they meet up the following night, September 21.” Sheriff Tom McCartney was told that Townsend headed to Fountain Gardens, in Paisley’s Love Street, the following night at about 11.30pm after leaving a party nearby.

Townsend did not see Kane when he arrived in the park but noticed Kane after he whistled to him to let him know where he was.

Kane was with two other men and began behaving aggressively towards Townsend, who then ran off.

Kane gave chase and caught up with Townsend, raining punches on his head with a metal bolt clenched in his fist.

He then took off while locals, who heard the commotion, called an ambulance.

Townsend was taken to the town’s Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment while Kane confessed to cops what he’d done.

He spotted officers out on patrol and said: “I’ve just done somebody in.” Kane, of the town’s Kilnside Road, told the officers he would take them to where the attack had taken place and show them where the weapon he’d used was.

When they got to Fountain Gardens and searched where Kane told them they found a steel bolt with tape on it.

That was the object that Kane had used to inflict six head wounds on Townsend.

The wounds took 29 stitches to close and have left him with a permanent scar above his left eyebrow.

Kane admitted his guilt when he appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court this week.

He held his hands up to a serious assault on Townsend which left him badly hurt and scarred for life.

Allegations that it was a life-threatening assault which knocked Townsend unconscious were dropped.

Gordon Ritchie, defending, said Kane had shown “immediate remorse and regret” for what he’d done by telling police as early as he did so that Townsend “received immediate treatment and care for the injury he’d inflicted.” Sheriff McCarntney called for Kane to be assessed by social workers ahead of sentencing and adjourned the case until next month.