James Muirhead, who attacked a cyclist with a machete in a Glasgow butcher’s shop, has been jailed

A man recently released from prison who attacked a cyclist with a machete in a butcher’s shop has been sentenced to more than five years in prison.

James Muirhead turned on the man after stalking him in Duke Street, Glasgow, on the morning of September 4 last year.

A judge heard claims the 26-year-old was angry at the victim, who blamed Muirhead for a series of alleged “incidents” involving relatives.

The man suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, as he lay on the floor of the store and was attacked.

Muirhead was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

He pleaded guilty last month to assaulting the man in such a way as to cause serious injury, leave him permanently disfigured and endanger his life.

It emerged that he had only been back on the streets about six weeks after his release from a previous prison sentence.

His many previous convictions include a five-year prison sentence in 2016 for his role in a violent raid on a man’s home in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, in which his car and cash were stolen.

Muirhead was sentenced to five years and four months in prison for this latest crime.

He was also cared for for another three years after his release.

Lady Drummond noted that Muirhead appeared to have “dislike” towards the victim.

She added: “Had such selfless and brave members of the public not intervened (in the attack), the outcome may have been very different.”

The court previously heard Muirhead was sitting in a car on Duke Street when his victim cycled past.

The thug jumped out of the vehicle and immediately ran after the man.

Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said: “Muirhead attacked him by causing (the victim) to fall to the floor of a butcher shop.

“He continued to hit him with the machete.

“Members of the public pulled Muirhead away from (the victim).”

Muirhead fled the scene before the man was taken to hospital.

He claimed not to know who attacked him, but went on to say that it was “three men.”

In addition to the skull fracture, he suffered injuries to his hand and arm.

Surveillance cameras of the attack helped trap Muirhead and he was detained by police.

Euan Dow, defending, said Muirhead had previously thought about “harming” the man but had “changed his mind”.

The defense attorney added: “On the day in question his judgment was impaired and he unexpectedly came across (the victim).

“He then behaved in the violent manner that we saw.”

Lady Drummond said the prison sentence would have been eight years had there been no admission of guilt.

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