A KNIFE thug who brutally slashed a man's ear in a City Centre street has been jailed for four years and three months.

Paul McCandlish, 31, pounced on Sean Park in May last year leaving the ex-sound engineer scarred for life.

The attack happened while Mr Park was walking in Glasgow's busy Union Street.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that McCandlish is deemed a high risk of re-offending.

The 26 year-old victim said, in evidence: “I recall being grabbed from behind – a boy then saying: ‘Remember me?’

“I then felt a rip at my right ear.”

The attacker was said to have stated: “Do you want it again?”

Mr Park identified McCandlish as his attacker.

Words had earlier been exchanged between the men – although they had never met prior to that.

Mr Park denied claims during the trial that he had threatened McCandlish.

McCandlish was convicted of assaulting his victim to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Jurors decided he had acted while under provocation.

It emerged McCandlish had previously been locked up for attempted murder.

McCandlish – who was also convicted of threatening police – was ordered to be monitored in the community for three years after his release from jail.