A SALTCOATS chef has been jailed for over five years after admitting the attempted murder of a woman outside a pub in the town.

The High Court in Glasgow heard yesterday (Tuesday) how 39-year-old Stephen Mann, of McIssac Road, also pleaded guilty to having a knife in a public place as well as attempted murder in Dockhead Street on July 14.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, told the court that earlier when Mann saw the woman in the Albion Bar he told her: “You’re f***ing getting it”, and added: “You’re dead.” Minutes later as she stood outside the bar chatting the accused walked up and stabbed her in the back.

When he was detained by police he said: “I hope I got her and killed her.” Mann then stated: “I hope she f***ing dies.”

Mann claimed to police that he carried this attack out because he believed the victim was responsible for slashing a family member. He told them: “Nobody slashes my family and gets away with it.”

The court heard that one of Mann’s family was slashed at a party on April 14, 2014, but the woman denies any responsibility for this.

The doctor who treated the victim described her injury as non-life-threatening, but he was of the opinion if the stab wound had penetrated deeper her heart could have been pierced. Mann was jailed for five years and three months.