A DUNDEE man who carried out an unprovoked, drink and drug-fuelled assault using a knife and a hammer was jailed for eight years at the High Court in Forfar yesterday.

Lord Morison told Scott Alan Lawrence (22) he had carried out an extremely vicious attack and branded him violent and dangerous.

Lawrence, described as a prisoner at Perth, admitted when he appeared at the court last month, assaulting a man and striking him on the body with a knife, and striking him on the head and body with a hammer, to his severe injury and the danger of his life.

He had originally faced a charge of attempted murder, but pleaded guilty to the amended one.

His attack happened on October 9 at Kingsway East, Dundee, leaving his victim with a knife wound to the back and injuries to his head and hand after being hit with the hammer.

The court heard previously that Lawrence and his victim were among a group of people invited back to a house at Kingsway East from a city night club.

Advocate depute Mark Stewart explained in court last month there was a minor verbal altercation between the householder—a relative of Lawrence —and a female guest, who left shortly after, along with the accused.

Others also decided to leave and, as they were walking away from the house, Lawrence was seen to run towards the complainer, striking a blow with a knife. The court was told Lawrence then ran back towards the house, leaving the complainer bleeding in the street.

Police who had been called then witnessed Lawrence returning to strike the man on the head and hand with the hammer.

Defence advocate Ashley Edwards yesterday said her client, a former chef, remembered very little of the offence, but took full responsibility for his actions and “fully appreciates the seriousness” of them.

She explained he had consumed a large amount of alcohol and had also taken cocaine immediately before the offence.

She described Lawrence’s schedule of previous convictions as “fairly extensive”, with offences for violence.

Ms Edwards pointed to a report prepared for the court which stated there were a number of factors which led its author to conclude Lawrence was at a high-risk of re-offending.

But a number of factors reduced that, she went on, including his strong work ethic and his commitment to deal with his drug and alcohol addictions.

She added Lawrence had a history of psychiatric problems, but had not sought help for them.

In sentencing Lawrence, Lord Morison said, “I take into account everything that has been said on your behalf, but the fact is you are obviously a violent and dangerous man and that you have a high risk of reoffending, certainly if you are under the influence of alcohol.

“In addition, this assault with a knife, then again with a hammer, was an extremely vicious one and caused severe injuries to your victim.

“The sentence of the court is that you be imprisoned on an extended sentence for a period of eight years.”

Lord Morison backdated the jail term to October 10.