A TILLICOULTRY man who slashed his friend on the face and neck has been jailed for almost three years.

William Porteous took the blade to his victim while he was watching TV in his own home last year.

The two were said to have been drinking together throughout April 5, with the knife attack taking place shortly after midnight on April 6.

The complainer required stitches to wounds on his face and neck and was left permanently scarred as a result.

At the time, police told the Advertiser that officers were called out to Chapelle Crescent at around 2am, having received a report of a violent assault.

A spokesperson added: "A 48-year-old man suffered injuries to the face and neck during the altercation. He was conveyed to Forth Valley Royal Infirmary for treatment. A man has been taken into police custody in connection with this incident."

Porteous, who has 37 previous convictions for disorder, drugs, violence and breaching court orders, was arrested and appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court a few days later and was remanded in custody.

However, as the case failed to go to trial before the legal time limit, he was liberated and a new trial date was set down for later in the year.

Porteous then appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court yesterday – almost 15 months after the offence took place – and pleaded guilty to a heavily-amended indictment.

He admitted assaulting the man at a property on Chappelle Crescent, Tillicoultry, by repeatedly striking him on the head and body with a knife, all to his injury and permanently disfigurement.

Reference to the attack having been to the danger of the complainer's life was removed from the charge.

Not guilty pleas to three separate offences – two counts of threatening or abusive behaviour and one count of possessing a knife – were accepted by prosecutors.

However, despite the reduction in charges facing him, the 62-year-old was given a lengthy jail sentence by Sheriff Wyllie Robertson.

Porteous, of Hillview Terrace, was told to serve 33 months' imprisonment, reduced from 36 months to account for his plea.

He will also be supervised for 12 months upon his release from custody.