Man admits slashing ex & her boyfriend in Clydebank flat after phone charger fight

A thug brutally slashed his ex-lover and her boyfriend - after flying into a rage over a phone charger.

Derek Hunter pounced on Michelle Graham and Paul Kane as they lay in bed at a friend's flat last September.

A judge heard how the terrified couple were left scarred for life after being struck with a Stanley knife.

Hunter today admitted assaulting the victims to their permanent disfigurement.

The 39 year-old - who already had a lengthy history of violence - was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

Miss Graham and Mr Kane had been at a friend's home in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

Hunter - who lived downstairs - was already there when they arrived.

Miss Graham had previously dated Hunter. At the time of the attack, she had been seeing Mr Kane for a month.

The court heard Mr Kane was known by the nickname Benbo.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing said the group initially chatted at the flat before Hunter left.

He added: "Paul Kane had borrowed a mobile phone charger from Hunter and agreed to return it later that evening."

The couple later went to bed after planning to stay overnight at their friend's.

But, Hunter turned up again and yelled through the letterbox: "If I don't get my charger, Benbo is going to get done."

The woman who lived there opened the door slightly before the thug pushed past and stormed in.

He pulled a Stanley knife from his pocket, went into the room where the couple were and leapt onto the bed.

Hunter screamed: "See you Benbo, I've f** had enough of you."

Mr Ewing: "He then repeatedly struck Paul Kane to the face and body with the Stanley knife.

"He also struck Michelle Graham on the leg. He then jumped off the bed and ran out the flat."

The bleeding victims ended up in hospital with Mr Kane suffering three slash wounds.

One at his stomach area was described as "deep".

Miss Graham was also treated for wound on her thigh.

Hunter was identified as the culprit, but he initially could not be found. It was days later that he handed himself into police.

The hearing was told Hunter already had 37 convictions including being jailed for assault and robbery at the high court in 1999.

Lord Clark today told him: "You have pled guilty to a brutal and vicious attack on your ex-partner and the man she had formed a relationship with."

Sentencing was deferred for reports.