Lifelong restriction for attacker

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A man who carried out two vicious street attacks in South Lanarkshire has been jailed for six years and placed on a lifelong restriction order.

Thomas McInnes, 20, admitted slashing Jordan Watt, 20, to the danger of his life in East Kilbride in October 2006.

He also pled guilty to attacking Brett James, 32, to his severe injury in the town three weeks later.

At the High Court in Glasgow temporary judge Michael O'Grady QC said McInnes was "a serious danger to the public".

The court heard McInness carried out an unprovoked attacked on Mr Watt as he withdrew cash from an ATM outside the Westwood shops in East Kilbride.

The victim suffered a 4.5cm slash wound to his face and a 9cm cut to his neck which was 6cm deep and exposed the main vessels.

You carried out two vicious unprovoked assaults with appalling consequences for the victims Temporary judge Michael O'Grady QC

A doctor who treated him said he was "extremely lucky to be alive".

The court also heard how McInness and his friend, William Stewart, 17, attacked Mr James as he walked home with his wife from a local pub in the town.

Both men admitted the attack at the High Court in Glasgow in June last year.

Sentence was deferred on McInnes, who had several previous convictions for assault.

Stewart was jailed for six years and ordered to be supervised for a further two years on release.

Passing sentence on McInnes on Tuesday, temporary judge Michael O'Grady QC said: "You carried out two vicious unprovoked assaults with appalling consequences for the victims.

"When seen in context with your previous convictions it suggests that you constitute a serious danger to the public.

"There is no doubt there is a likelihood if at liberty you will seriously endanger the lives or well-being of the public at large."