A man wielding a knife who chased down and then repeatedly stabbed a man at a campsite in Highland Perthshire has been jailed for three years.
Craig Shaw left Barry McCutcheon, 25, scarred for life after brutally attacking him during a 21st birthday fishing and camping trip to picturesque Loch Earn.
The horrific attack took place after Mr McCutcheon stepped in as a peacemaker when a fight broke out between groups of campers in neighbouring tents.
He urged the rival parties to calm down but then fled for his life pursued by Shaw, who was carrying a knife he had bought the previous day.
Sheriff William Wood said that “but for luck” his victim would not have survived and, but for further good fortune, he would not have recovered so well.
It was not the 20-year-old’s first offence, as the court the Glaswegian had racked up an extensive record for violence in just a few years.
Shaw’s solicitor Eddie Robertson said: “He has a major problem with alcohol and each and every one of his offences has been committed under the influence of drink.”
The court heard that Mr McCutcheon was attempting to reach his car when he was knocked to the ground by Shaw and stabbed at least four times, sustaining a punctured lung and other injuries.
Shaw fled the scene by car but was traced by police after receipts for camping equipment were recovered from the scene.
CCTV images from shops then enabled them to recover images from which Mr McCutcheon could identify his assailant.
Depute fiscal John Malpass told the court that Shaw was subsequently arrested and while he was being held on remand in Perth Prison his phone calls were recorded. During one call to a friend he was heard to make a confession about the stabbing.
Shaw, c/o Perth Prison, admitted attacking Barry McCutcheon by repeatedly stabbing him on the body to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement at Loch Earn, Comrie, on June 16.