A THUG who left his supposed friend in danger of his life after a vicious knife attack has been jailed.

John Lennox carried out the horrific assault in Saltcoats’ Canal Street on March 15 this year.

The 47-year-old was found guilty of repeatedly striking the man on the head and body with a knife all to his severe injury, permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

Lennox, who was an active member of Saltcoats Protestant Boys Flute Band, returned to court last week for sentencing following the production of social work reports.

But such was the level of Lennox’s heinous attack, presiding Sheriff Alistair Watson initially wondered whether he could appropriately sentence him or whether he would have to send Lennox to the High Court for sentencing.

However, proceedings carried on and Sheriff Watson heard from defence solicitor Graeme Cunningham.

Mr Cunningham said the social work report were in the exact terms he was expecting.

He said that although Lennox accepted the authority of the court his client still had difficulty accepting the jury’s verdict.

Mr Cunningham said it would be a “strange day” if Lennox changed his position and says he will “forever” stick to that position.

He also revealed that Lennox considered his victim to be a “friend”.

According to Mr Cunningham, Lennox realises the physical and psychological impact the attack will have had on the victim.

The court heard how the social work report assessed Lennox as being capable of posing serious harm to others.

Lennox’s criminal record showed a history of violent offending but asked Sheriff Watson to consider the fact he had spent a number of years out of trouble before the assault.

His involvement with the flute band was claimed to be a major reason for keeping him on “the straight and narrow”, as Mr Cunningham put it.

Mr Cunningham admitted there was not much he could add in terms of mitigation but asked Sheriff Watson to consider the gap in Lennox’s record with the majority of his offences being committed in his younger days.

When passing sentence, Sheriff Watson said: “You were convicted by the jury of assaulting the victim to his severe injury and to the danger of his life and all of us present saw graphically the effect of this terrible attack.

“Sometimes the difference between a crime of this nature and attempted murder is a clear distinction but the difference between the two charges is very narrow.

“I have to have regard in sentencing your serious record and history of violence.

"I am prepared to allow you some credit in this matter for the lack of offending for some time.

“I have formed a view that it probably was spontaneity and not carried out with a degree of formal planning.” Lennox was handed a seven year sentence, the first five of which he will spend in custody.

Thereafter Lennox will then serve a two year sentence in the community.

Sheriff Watson added: “Should you fail to comply with close supervision or should you continue to offend, expect a return to custody.”