Bouncer machete attacker jailed

McDonald denied the attempted murder charge

A man has been jailed for seven years after he attacked a bouncer with a machete outside a pub in Cumbernauld.

Stephen McDonald, of Berryhill Road, North Lanarkshire, was convicted of attempting to murder Ronald Fraser, 36, on 25 February last year.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the 45-year-old attacked Mr Fraser with the 18in blade when he was asked to leave the Condorrat Arms on Main Road.

McDonald denied the charge and said he had acted in self defence.

On sentencing, Judge Lord Turnbull said: "The only sentence I can impose for a vicious attack with a weapon is a lengthy custodial sentence.

"However, I do recognise that this offence was out of character.

"Whatever occurred that evening the court hasn't heard the full story."

The court was told McDonald, who was a customer in the pub, pulled the machete out of his trousers when asked to leave.

Jennifer Bain, prosecuting, said he then attacked Mr Fraser, who needed to have 13 stitches to his head and neck and an operation to treat a severed nerve in his hand after the assault.

McDonald claimed he had found the weapon lying on the ground.