NEW Year celebrations turned sour when a Provanmill man knifed a friend after being branded a "paedo".

Thomas Molloy, 49, slashed his victim and threatened: "I came here to kill you."

The violent attack took place following a family gathering in Glasgow. During the New Year's Day party, an argument broke out between the accused and his victim.

The complainer returned home after the altercation, but at around 1am the next morning Molloy turned up at his door. The victim let the accused in, but as the pair made their way up a set of stairs Molloy attacked.

The complainer – alerted by the look of horror on a woman's face who was standing at the top of the stairs – turned around in time to see Molloy brandish a metal object – believed to be a knife.

Molloy menaced: "You called me a paedo."

The man threw his arms around the woman to protect her as he was slashed on the back by the sharp weapon. The victim then retaliated by punching Molloy down the stairs.

The accused stated: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

"You called me a paedo. I came here to kill you."

Another witness arrived at the house in time to hear Molloy say: "I can't believe what I've just done."

Molloy's victim was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he received treatment to two lacerations on his back. One cut required six stitches.

The incident happened at an address in Moodiesburn Street on January 2, 2018.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court this week, Molloy pleaded guilty to assaulting a man by repeatedly striking him with a knife or similar implement on his body to his injury.

Defending, Mr Murphy stated that Molloy, of Lochgreen Street, was extremely regretful.

He said: "The accused is really sorry for what happened.

"He's not quite so sure why he got himself so angry."

Sheriff Allan Findlay told the accused: "This is serious. You know it's serious."

Molloy avoided jail, but was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with supervision for a year as a direct alternative to custody. He was also handed 300 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay his victim £1,000 compensation.

Sheriff Findlay warned Molloy: "You breach this order, you're straight up to Barlinnie."