A THUG who slashed a man with a Stanley knife in a brutal murder bid because he "didn't like him" has been jailed for more than five years.

Stephen Paterson, 40, attacked 39-year-old William Pinkerton at the victim's flat in Paisley Road, Renfrew.

The High Court in Stirling heard that Mr Pinkerton had just been dropped off at his home.

Paterson, also from Renfrew, and another man saw him, followed him and forced entry.

During the knife attack, Paterson used "considerable force" as he struck Mr Pinkerton on the right side of his neck, close to the carotid artery.

Sentencing him, judge Lady Scott said: "You left your victim pouring with blood.

"This was a vicious, violent attack because you said you didn't like him."

Lady Scott added that the crime was "considerably aggravated" by Paterson's "escalating record of violence and possession of weapons and knives."

The attack took place on July 19 last year, just seven weeks after Paterson had been released early from a two-year sentence for possession of a sword.

Lady Scott warned that, if he commits another act of violence, the court would look towards consideration of an order for lifelong restriction.

She told Paterson: "The background reports suggest you are a violent man and have no regard for the consequences for your victims, you have resisted attempts to address your offending and you present a very high risk to the safety of the public."

Paterson had admitted the attempted murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

Solicitor-advocate Raymond McIlwham, representing Paterson, said the attack was the result of "a perceived slight from some years before."

He added: "His reason for committing the offence could never be construed as a good reason, far from it."

The court heard that the large neck wound suffered by Mr Pinkerton will leave him permanently scarred.

Lady Scott jailed Paterson for five years and three months, as well as imposing an extended period of three years on licence after he is released.

Co-accused Gavin Strachan, 40, who had also been accused of the murder bid but had his not guilty plea accepted, admitted being involved in the assault and robbery of another man – Allan Woods – elsewhere in Renfrew on the same day.

The court heard that Mr Woods was tailed to his home after withdrawing money at a cash machine.

He was then assaulted by an accomplice of drug addict Strachan, who went on to rifle through his pockets.

The pair escaped with money, a bank card and a set of keys.

Strachan was jailed for 27 months but, due to time served on remand, arrangements for his release would be made almost immediately.