A THUG inflicted life-thtreatening injuries on a man by repeatedly stabbing him with a ten-inch hunting knife in a Greenock street after the victim confronted him about slashing his car tyres.

Shaun Charles - who is today facing a prison sentence - struck Christopher Knight three times in the stomach with the weapon, leaving him with horrific wounds.

But despite being badly hurt and blood-soaked, Mr Knight managed to keep hold of his 26-year-old attacker until police arrived.

A judge today remarked on the 'courage' of the victim as Charles appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Knight to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life in Greenock.

Charles carried out the attack on October 16 2021.

The court heard that Charles had been spotted on his motorbike in the town that morning and initially had an argument with a resident, having been caught smashing a window of a nearby property.

Charles, now of Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, then went outside another house and shouted to speak to someone he believed was inside.

The person was not there and Charles then 'turned his attention' to a Vauxhall Insignia car and began slashing its tyres, prosecutor Marco Guarino told the court.

Charles rode off before doing the same to an Audi vehicle.

Mr Knight was then at a property in Greenock when he spotted Charles using the blade to puncture the tyres of his Ford Focus.

Mr Guarino explained: "Mr Knight seized hold of Charles and confronted him to detain him until the police arrived.

"A struggle ensued during which Charles stabbed him with the knife three times in the abdomen.

"Despite the injuries, Mr Knight managed to restrain Charles and called police on his mobile phone.

"He was able to tell police that the knife used to stab him was lying on the road."

Officers soon appeared and found that the victim still had hold of his attacker.

Mr Knight had three wounds to his stomach with his intestines partially protruding.

He was initially given first aid before being rushed to hospital.

Mr Guarino said Mr Knight needed emergency surgery for injuries described as 'life threatening'.

He was luckily able to leave hospital a fortnight later but is scarred for life.

After being held by police, Charles made a number of comments including: "It is only an assault, so get me out quick."

Frances Connor, defending, said Charles claimed initially to be in a 'panic' when he was grabbed by Mr Knight, who was described as a 'large man' with a military background.

However, Judge Kevin McCallum KC said: "Your client was armed with a knife.

"The man had the courage to confront someone who was in the process of damaging his property with that knife."

The judge added that Charles may have been the 'small man' out of the two, but he had a 'very big' weapon.

Miss Connor went on to state that Mr Knight was 'clearly the victim' and that he had been 'brave' to challenge Charles that morning.

Charles is due to be sentenced later this month.