Man admits stabbing man in face in Paisley

A thug brutally stabbed a man who had gone to police about his gangster father in law.

Christopher Kavanagh pounced on Robert Forbes in Paisley, Renfrewshire in August 2017.

The 29 year-old is the son of law of jailed underworld figure Robert Pickett.

Pickett was one of six thugs locked up for 104 years in May for his role in a savage gangland murder plot.

A judge heard today/yesterday how Mr Forbes was targeted after alerting police he had “information” on the 54 year-old.

Kavanagh has now joined Pickett behind bars after he today/yesterday pled guilty Mr Forbes to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of his life.

He had originally faced an attempted murder allegation.

Pickett – currently serving a 16 year sentence – had also been accused of trying to kill Mr Forbes, but had his not guilty plea accepted today/yesterday.

Kavanagh will be sentenced later this month.

The High Court in Glasgow heard there had been “ill feeling” between Mr Forbes and Pickett.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney said: “Not long before the attack, Robert Forbes contacted police to advise he had information to give them regarding the father in law of Kavanagh.”

Kavanagh struck on August 17 2017 after the victim got out his van in Paisley's Causeyside Street.

The thug had been sitting in his Mercedes 4x4 nearby.

Mr Kearney: “Around this time, the former co-accused (Pickett) arrived in his vehicle and was observed to cross the road.

“This was in the general direction of Mr Forbes, who appeared to take fright and ran.”

Mr Forbes ended up falling before Kavanagh stabbed him three times on the face, body and hand in a “swift attack” lasting only seconds.

Members of the public in the busy street raced to help the blood-drenched victim.

Mr Forbes was heard stating: “They have got me. They found me.”

He later needed 17 stitches for a facial wound, which left him scarred for life.

Mr Forbes also injuries to his stomach and hand.

Kavanagh – who initially fled the scene – was traced through the Mercedes he had driven that day.

The thug, also of Paisley, made no comment when later quizzed by police.

Kavanagh had been on bail – but judge Lord Clark remanded him in custody following his guilty plea.

His father in law Pickett was said to be part of the Lyons crime clan who targeted associates of the rival Daniel mob.

Kavanagh's name was mentioned during evidence in the 14-week trial.

He was known to supergrass Alistair McMillan, who had been an associate of ex-taxi firm boss Steven “Bonzo” Daniel.

Daniel suffered grotesque facial wounds after later being ambushed by the Lyons crew.

McMillan met Pickett through Kavanagh.

The ex-footballer told jurors he was offered £50,000 to help in the “murder” of Daniel following a secret meeting in a garden with three men.