A thug who attacked his mum and threatened her with a hatchet went on to slit a man’s throat just six weeks after being released early from jail.
Serial offender Stephen Paterson, 39, carried out the unprovoked attack on William Pinkerton with a Stanley knife last July.
He served half of a two-year sentence for an offensive weapon.
We can reveal it was the second time Paterson had been granted early release after serving only half of a previous 20-month sentence handed down in May 2019 for assaulting his mum Isabel Kerr.
Paterson had throttled Isabel as she lay ill in bed and placed his hands around her neck and punched her on the ribs.
He then phoned police to warn them he was armed with a hatchet, a knife and a sword, and that he was going to chop her up.
However despite a lengthy record for violence and carrying offensive weapons, Paterson was granted early release again last year and went on to attack Mr Pinkerton.
Last month the Scottish government dropped a proposal to allow criminals to be released after serving a third of their sentence.
Currently, almost all prisoners serving less than four years are released automatically at the halfway point of their sentence.
Those prisoners serving four years or more are eligible to have their case considered by the Parole Board at this point.
In May 2019 Paterson pled guilty to assaulting his mum Isabel at Paisley Sheriff Court.
The court heard how following a drug-crazed from Paterson, police raced to the property in Renfrew.
Officers went into a bedroom and discovered an axe and a small knife.
Procurator Fiscal depute David McDonald told the court at the time: “During the course of the call, he made reference to being in possession of a hatchet and sword and he would chop his mother into pieces.
“He made reference to this a few times and also said he was in possession of a knife.”
Paterson is now back behind bars after he pled guilty to attempting murder Mr Pinkerton, 39, at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month.
Mr Pinkerton survived the slashing which was close to the carotid artery but will be left permanently scarred.
The court heard how Mr Pinkerton had not long returned home to his flat in Renfrew when he was attacked.
He had heard his front door being knocked and found Paterson there when he answered. He immediately tried to close the door, but Paterson forced it open.
Mr Pinkerton ended up on his back and started kicking out as he could see Paterson with what looked like a Stanley knife in his hand.
Prosecutor Leanne McQuillan told the court: “Paterson then struck him with the knife slashing down on the right side of his neck with considerable force.”
The thug fled the scene as the blood-soaked victim managed to call his mother for help. No motive for the crime was revealed in court.
Lady Scott remanded Paterson in custody pending sentencing next month in Stirling.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Prison Service said: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
READ NEXT:
