A thug who brutally slashed three strangers in just 90 minutes has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Michael Coyle carried out the attacks in Glasgow's Howard Street in the city centre last December.

The 33-year-old had been back on the streets having been freed early from a previous jail-term for an earlier knife crime.

Coyle returned to the High Court in Glasgow today and admitted assaulting all three men to their severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Lord Mulholland told him: "You are a menace, a thug and a danger [to the] public.

"The circumstances of the crimes are appalling - showing savagery and cruelty."

Coyle must first serve 213 days from his previous jail-term before starting his latest sentence.

First victim Stuart Bredin had been at the 8-Ball pool hall around 10.30pm on December 17, 2021.

Construction worker Coyle was also there with colleagues.

All the men were then captured on CCTV standing outside the pool hall.

Prosecutor John McElroy said: "Coyle and Mr Bredin were unknown to one another.

"They appear to engage in conversation. Coyle is then seen to strike him on the left side of the face causing him to stagger backwards."

As Coyle fled, the blood-soaked 36-year-old was rushed to hospital by a nearby taxi driver.

Lord Mulholland was shown a photo of the horror ear-to-mouth wound the victim suffered, which has left him scarred for life.

Coyle ended up in Kelly's Bar in Howard Street around midnight.

Mr McElroy said he was involved in a "minor altercation" between himself, Jordan Buist and Paul McLaughlin.

This saw Coyle - wearing a hi-vis jacket - also slash the two friends outside the pub.

Mr McLaughlin, 25, was struck on the left side of the face with Mr Buist, 23, knifed from behind. Both are also scarred for life.

Coyle was locked up for 27 months in March 2020 and ordered to be supervised for a year on his release.

He was then freed early on May 13, 2021.