Thug who scarred man could face life in jail

A THUG who scarred a man for life after a row over cigarettes could face a life sentence.

Peter Callaghan, 34, stabbed Sean McCarthy four times outside Reardon’s snooker hall in Glasgow’s Hope Street on February 2, 2018.

The 32- year- old victim suffered wounds to his thigh, forearm and wrist.

Callaghan returned to the High Court in Glasgow having earlier been convicted of assaulting Mr McCarthy to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

He was also found guilty of possessing a knife.

But, Judge Graeme Buchanan adjourned the case again for a full risk assessment to be carried on Callaghan, who already had a lengthy criminal past.

This could lead to the thug being hit with an Order for Lifelong Restriction.

The judge told Callaghan: “You have already received two extended sentences for violence at the high court involving the use of a knife and a hammer.”

He added Callaghan appeared to be someone who

“who goes out with a weapon readily at hand”.

He will return to the dock in April.

Mr McCarthy earlier told jurors he had chatted with Callaghan who approached him.

The construction worker said: “He became very aggressive. He may have asked me for a smoke or a light but I didn’t have any.

“He looked smashed due to drink or narcotics.

“He came face to face and he had the knife and stabbed me four times.

“I didn’t see a knife, I just felt it and stumbled back and he ran or walked away.

“I realised there was blood coming from my arm and I wrapped my belt around it.”

Callaghan’s lawyer had asked for the thug to be given another extended sentence.