Thug pleads guilty to knifing man in Hamilton

A knife thug left a man scarred for life after repeatedly slashing him on the head and neck, a court was told. At the High Court in Glasgow dad-of-two Jon Wright, 24, Hamilton, carried out the horrific attack minutes after drinking with his victim.

The assault to permanent disfigurement and to the danger of life was committed on May 19, at Louis Braille Lea, East Kilbride.

Wright, a self-employed joiner who has numerous convictions for violence and possession of weapons, was originally charged with attempted murder, but his plea of guilty to the reduced charge was accepted by the Crown.

Prosecutor Shanti Maguire said: “Mr McGlinchey was drinking with the accused and his ex-partner Lisa McFarlane at her home in Louise Braille Lea.

“After an hour Mr McGlinchey decided to go home and he headed out around 2.30am, followed by the accused.”

The court heard that Wright punched Mr McGlinchey on the face and then pulled out a Stanley blade and struck him several times with it.”

Mr McGlinchey who had blood pouring from his wounds said: “Look at the state of my face.”

He was taken to Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride with three wounds to the left side of his face and neck.

Ms Maguire said: “The injuries were not life threatening but had the neck wound been deeper it would have been. These injuries are described as serious due to their size and damage to the facial nerves. Mr McGlinchey had scarring to his neck and face.

Wright also admitted assaulting Anthony McCardle by punching him on his head to his severe injury on January 14 at Slenavon Avenue, Rutherglen.

Judge Lord Matthews deferred sentence on Wright for background reports and to assess the danger he poses to the public.

Ronnie Renucci QC will give his plea in mitigation then.