Knife attacker in gazebo

A THUG who stabbed a man on the head was later found hiding in a pub’s gazebo by police.

Mark Casey pounced on Darren Leonard outside Marks and Spencer in Glasgow city centre’s Glassford Street on July 15.

The 23-year-old was spotted by officers during the attack, which has scarred Leonard for life, and ran away. Casey initially hid in a doorway before police caught up with him in the beer tent at Committee Room No. 9 in the Merchant City.

Casey pleaded guilty yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Leonard to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The court heard Casey was spotted brandishing the knife at Leonard at 5.40pm.

Prosecutor Hannah Terrance said: “He assaulted Mr Leonard to the right side of his face by slashing him with the knife. Officers saw that Mr Leonard had tried to avoid being assaulted by lunging back and jerking from side to side.”

Terrance added: “He concealed himself in a doorway before running off towards John Street.

“Other officers were given a description of Casey who saw him in a seating marquee at the Committee Room and he was arrested.”

Officers found Leonard outside Glasgow Souvenir Shop meantime with a wound to the right side of his face which was heavily bleeding.

He was taken to hospital for treatment to the 17cm wound which required 10 to 12 stitches and will permanently scar.

Sheriff Gerard Considine said: “This has left the victim with a life changing permanent scar on his face. A substantial sentence will be at the uppermost of the court’s mind.”

Casey, who appeared from custody, had his remand continued meantime.