A MASKED thug who sliced open a shopkeeper's arm after he refused to give him money was jailed today for three years.

Ryan McArron, 28, lashed out at Shazad Shafiq, 41, as he opened his store in Glasgow's Pollokshaws on November 24, 2020.

The Asda trolley worker, of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, initially kept tabs on Mr Shafiq before asking him for cash.

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When this was denied, McArron lunged at his victim with the blade before fleeing the scene.

Mr Shafiq initially gave chase but he put himself into hospital where he received 14 stitches to his upper right arm.

McArron was convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Mr Shafiq to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Jurors watched CCTV of McArron dressed in high vis and a facemask walking towards Mr Shafiq who exited his car.

The attacker initially passed his victim before stepping back to speak to him.

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Mr Shafiq stated in his evidence: "He approached me as I was about to open the shop and asked me if I had any change in the shop.

"I said that I never.

"I turned to the shutters and I felt someone grabbing me from the back.

"As I turned round, I could see a knife in his hand.

"I panicked and grabbed hold of him and he grabbed on to me.

"I was trying to avoid being injured, stabbed or cut."

Mr Shafiq stated the incident lasted 10 seconds before McArron ran away down the street.

The witness claimed that he followed McArron from afar and noted him to get into a car and drive off.

Prosecutor Mark Allan asked what injuries Mr Shafiq suffered as a result of the attack.

He replied: "I had a bad cut on the bicep."

The witness added that he went to hospital where he was treated with stitches.

Mr Shafiq passed on the licence plate of the car to the police who spoke to him while receiving treatment.

It was revealed that McArron has a high court previous conviction for assault and robbery in which he was sent to a young offenders institution for 27 months in 2012.

He also has a record for possession of a knife in public from 2011.