A VICIOUS thug has admitted launching an unprovoked attack on a 69-year-old jogger on a cycle path and biting another man's ear off.

Sean McCall, 24, pled guilty to assaulting pensioner Thomas Lamond by kicking and stamping on him at 6am on February 4 last year on the cycle path next to Canal Street, Paisley.

He also admitted biting off Kenneth Crowhurst's ear on June 17 last year at a house in Bruce Road, Paisley, to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Mr Lamond, who was covered in blood, suffered a broken jaw, swelling and cuts and bruises to his face, as well as losing a tooth, in the brutal attack.

Agnes Cummings, who witnessed the attack, stopped her car and was asked by Mr Lamond: “Missus, gonnae help me?”

She told McCall to leave his victim alone and warned she was calling the police.

Prosecutor Kath Harper said: “She watched as the accused repeatedly punched Mr Lamond, who she described as tiny and very thin.

“She shouted 'That's enough' and 'I'm going to phone the police.' She phoned the police and McCall was still punching Mr Lamond on the head and then pulled off his top.

“Mr Lamond fell to the ground and the accused repeatedly kicked him on the face and head.”

McCall then rummaged through Mr Lamond's pockets as he lay bleeding and helpless and robbed him of his wallet.

The court heard how Mr Lamond, who jogged every day to Elderslie and back, was joined at 6am by McCall, who ran alongside him and muttered something.

When Mr Lamond told McCall to leave him alone, he was attacked.

McCall was later traced by police and Mr Lamond's blood was found on his Nike Air Max trainers.

The second assault left Mr Crowhurst – a friend of McCall's mother – severely injured.

McCall, of George Street, Paisley, punched and headbutted 47-year-old Mr Crowhurst before pinning him to the floor and biting off his left ear.

Surgeons were unable to reattach it.

Judge Sean Murphy deferred sentence on McCall, who has previous convictions involving possession of drugs, vandalism and culpable and reckless conduct, for background reports and remanded him in custody.

Solicitor advocate Raymond McIlwham will give his plea in mitigation when the case calls again next month.

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