A knife thug who cut a man's throat was released early from prison twice.
Stephen Paterson served half of a two-year prison sentence when he was freed to carry out the unprovoked attack on William Pinkerton six weeks later.
Details of the 39-year-old's horrific crimes were laid bare after the Scottish Government dropped a plan that could have seen prisoners released after serving just a third of their sentence, the Daily Record reports.
READ MORE: Woman sold to Glasgow man after being trafficked to Scotland with promise of a job
As it stands, most inmates serving less than four years are given automatic release at the half way point, those jailed for longer are eligible to go before the parole board at the same stage.
Serial offender Paterson served half of a 20-month sentence handed down in May 2019 for attacking his own mum.
The brute throttled her as she lay ill in bed and punched her on the ribs. He later called police telling them he was armed with a hatchet, a knife and a sword, and that he was going to chop her up.
Despite his shocking record of violence, he was granted early release for a second time and went on to carry out the unprovoked attack on Mr Pinkerton.
Paterson is now back behind bars after he pled guilty at the to attempting murder Mr Pinkerton, 39, at the High Court in Glasgow in July.
Mr Pinkerton survived the slashing which was close to the carotid artery but will be left permanently scarred.
The court heard how Mr Pinkerton had not long returned home to his flat in Renfrew when he was attacked.
He had heard his front door being knocked and found Paterson there when he answered. He immediately tried to close the door, but Paterson forced it open.
Mr Pinkerton ended up on his back and started kicking out as he could see Paterson with what looked like a Stanley knife in his hand.
Prosecutor Leanne McQuillan told the court: "Paterson then struck him with the knife slashing down on the right side of his neck with considerable force."
The thug fled the scene as the blood-soaked victim managed to call his mother for help. No motive for the crime was revealed in court.
Lady Scott remanded Paterson in custody pending sentencing.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Prison Service said: "We do not comment on individual prisoners."
READ NEXT:
- 'Whip round' held for Glasgow family to get their electricity back on
- Mum walks about shopping centres' to keep warm amid rising energy costs
- Two men rushed to Glasgow hospital from HMP Low Moss after 'assault'
- Glasgow mum saves drowning toddler found face down in park pond
- Three baby deaths to be investigated after families suffer 'terrible losses'
