Patrick Kelly, 20, hunted down his victim over a family dispute before slashing him across the face – opening a blood vessel which required stitches – on August 27 last year.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week, Kelly, a prisoner at Polmont Brightons, pleaded guilty to the attack and being in possession of a knife.

Sarah Healing, fiscal depute, told the court there had been an ongoing dispute between Kelly’s family and that of his victim before the incident at 12.30pm on August 27 last year.

The victim’s sister arrived at Helensburgh Central station and as she left, she saw Kelly standing on East Princes Street.

Ms Healing said: “Paul Kelly shouted at the sister, telling her he had a blade and that he would use it. She became aware of something in his jacket pocket but was unsure what the item was.” She followed Kelly into the station and asked him what the shouting had been about. He then pulled a knife from his jacket pocket before returning it and leaving the station.

The court heard that at around 4pm that day, the victim and his partner were at Helensburgh Central Station. Kelly appeared and tried to speak to his victim but he ignored him. Kelly then left — but he was not finished there.

Ms Healing continued: “He returned a short time later with his hood pulled up over his head and his hand in his pocket. He approached the victim and asked if he wanted to ‘sort this out’, referring to the dispute between the families. The victim declined and his partner asked Paul Kelly to leave them alone.

“Kelly then told his victim ‘I’ll just stab you’, at which point his victim saw something in Kelly’s hand.

“Fearful about what may happen next, the victim moved towards Paul Kelly and struck him with a soft drinks can.” A scuffle then broke out between the pair and Kelly brought out a knife with a blade around three to four inches in length. He struck the victim on the face, in front of his left ear.

The victim was able to break free and Kelly fled from the scene.

Ms Healing told the court the victim was bleeding heavily so he and his partner obtained bandages from a nearby chemist before getting a taxi to hospital. He was found to have a ragged laceration of 5.6 centimetres. A blood vessel had been opened by the knife. It was closed with stitches but the victim was left with scarring to his face.

Three days later, at 1am, Kelly was seen on West King Street. He tried to run off but was caught and taken to Clydebank Police Station.

Tom Brown, defending Kelly, said his client was only too aware of the seriousness of the matters.

Mr Brown said: “He accepts the only way you can deal with this is by way of a custodial sentence. He is a person who has not had an easy childhood.

“He has not had a great deal of support from his father. While he has been in custody in respect of this matter he has taken counselling in relation to drugs and alcohol.

“At least he is facing up to his responsibilities.” In sentencing Kelly, Sheriff William Gallagher said: “What you did was go out looking for trouble. You did that whilst deciding to arm yourself with a knife.

“You are a young man with a significant record. It is never acceptable to behave in this way, nothing justifies that.” Kelly was sentenced to a total of 39 months detention. He will be the subject of a supervised release order for one year after his release.

------- In a separate charge, Patrick Kelly admitted assaulting a man whilst on bail along with Connor Kemp (also known as Connor Milne) on October 15 last year at Helenbsurgh’s Drumfork Court.

The attack was described as ‘utterly outrageous’ by the sheriff.

Kemp, of Buchanan Street, Helensburgh, also pleaded guilty to the attack. The 21-year-old further admitted stealing £3,500 of lead from the roof of a property in August 2012.

The pair both appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.

Sarah Healing, prosecuting, told the court the incident took place on October 15 last year. The victim on that occasion had been drinking at a friend’s house in Drumfork Court.

At 7pm Paul Kelly and Connor Kemp arrived and made their way to the living room of the property.

Ms Healing said: “For no apparent reason Paul Kelly attacked the victim and punched him on the left arm. He was then joined by Connor Kemp and both of them started punching him on the head and body.

“The victim ran from the house and attended at his girlfriend’s mother’s house where he discovered that his arm was bleeding heavily.” An ambulance was called and paramedics were able to close the wound using steri-strips and glue.

Brian McGuire, defending Kemp, said: “The complainer here had done something to Mr Kemp’s younger brother. It was as a result of that they attended at the house.” Sheriff William Gallagher sentenced Kemp to 150 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within six months.

Kelly’s role in the attack was included in his 39 month jail term.