A WANNABE personal trainer attacked a man with a knife in Dumbarton.

Gordon McCord grabbed the victim on the body and struck him on the neck with the weapon at a property on Talisman Avenue, causing permanent disfigurement.

The 32-year-old appeared for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on June 27 after previously pleading guilty.

Despite his previous convictions, Sheriff William Gallacher was able to avoid sending him to prison.

His lawyer told the hearing: "The [social work] report is positive and he appears to have taken a high level of responsibility for his offending behaviour.

"He had taken a knife from his partner's house. I do note from the medical record that the injury is described as superficial. He is very remorseful. 

"He has had a very traumatic life and that is well-documented in the report. He has struggled with mental health, drugs and alcohol issues for a big part of his life.

"Since the incident, he has given up drugs and alcohol. He is now going to the gym and planning to be a personal trainer. He recognises the seriousness of the matter. He has never been to custody before."

Sheriff Gallacher said: "This is an utterly unacceptable incident. The world, this court and this community are blighted by those who take into their possession a knife.

"What happened in this case? You decided to use that. My concern is that you have a criminal record which involves violence in the past."

McCord, of Glasgow's East End, was placed on a community payback order for 18 months under social work supervision and ordered to complete 270 hours of unpaid work.

He was also tagged for four months and must remain in his home from 7pm-7am.

A review was set for later this year.