A THUG from Beith slashed a dad in a vicious attack after he raced to track down his daughter in response to a panicked phone call.

The victim’s daughter called at 6.30am, and he could hear her shout “dad, help”, with screaming noises in the background, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard.

He quickly made his way to her location in Stewart Street, Dalmuir, West Dunbartonshire, where he saw Scott Stirrat standing with both hands out in front of him.

Fiscal depute Decla O’Connor told the court that when the dad approached, 21-year-old Stirrat swung a punch with a concealed knife, which slashed the victim’s hand.

At the time of the assault, the dad was not aware he had been cut twice until a member of the public later notified him.

Stirrat was traced and arrested but under caution by cops he responded: “Aye, nae wonder I had a knife. I was getting done in by three guys.”

The court was told that before the attack, Stirrat was passing by when he saw the female friend with a group of people, which resulted in a different incident happening on September 25, 2021.

His defence solicitor explained that before the phone call was made an incident took place with the complainer’s daughter, at which point he had acquired a knife.

Stirrat previously pleaded guilty to having the blade in a public place unlawfully and using the weapon to assault the man causing his injury.

The solicitor said: “He was travelling with his ex-partner and came across [the complainer’s daughter] and cohorts.

“An incident had occurred there and ended up with a knife then the complainer entered the scene.

“He was significantly under the influence of alcohol.

“He has not attempted to downplay the fact that he takes possession of the knife and injures somebody.

“He has managed to get himself into a pretty vicious cycle of offending.”

The court heard the young offender is currently on two bail orders – one of which is a curfew.

Sheriff William Gallacher told Stirrat: “This is simply outrageous behaviour. Whatever might have motivated you in relation to your involvement, while you were in possession of a knife, you decided to use it in an attack upon them.

“A number of years ago you would have found yourself in front of a jury and faced years in prison.

“I have to take into account of your age and the length of the matter. In all of the circumstances, I can just find a way to not impose a custodial sentence.”

Stirrat, of Hawthorn Crescent, Beith, was placed on a community payback order with 18 months of social work supervision and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work. He must also attend alcohol counselling. 

A further community payback review was set for April.