A SAVAGE thug who attacked two men in 19 days while out on licence has been jailed for six years.

Judge Lord McEwan also ordered Kevin Alexander, 21, to be monitored in the community for three years after his release.

He told Alexander: "You have to be dealt with severely. You were out on licence for attempted murder at the time of these offences.

"The risk assessment carried out on you can only be described as bleak.

"You use weapons and seem to enjoy alcohol and drugs."

The High Court in Glasgow was told he stabbed a man five times in Love Street, Paisley, after demanding: "What are you looking at?"

His victim, 25-year-old John Hutchison, managed to cross the road before collapsing.

Alastair Carmichael, prosecuting, told the court: "Mr Hutchison had four wounds to his back and one to his right hand.

"He died on February 13 this year.

"His death was not as a result of any of the injuries sustained in connection with this charge."

Alexander carried out his second attack just a few weeks later at the Paisley home of 27-year-old Andrew Gray.

The accused, who knew Mr Gray, shouted through his letterbox and was allowed inside. But, minutes later, he launched an unprovoked attack with a wooden pole.

Another unknown man then ran into the house and stabbed Mr Gray with a knife. Mr Gray suffered a fracture to his forehead and needed 33 staples and 11 sutures put in wounds to his head and face.

He has been left with permanent scarring and was unable to leave his home for months.

Alexander, of Cromer Way, Shortroods, Paisley, admitted repeatedly striking Mr Hutchison on the body with a knife to his severe injury and to the danger of his life on November 15 last year.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Gray at his home in Mossvale Square on December 4 by repeatedly striking him on the head and body with a piece of wood to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The court heard Alexander has a previous conviction for attempted murder which left a man with a brain injury.

Lee Brophy - brother of Thomas Brophy, who was jailed for life for the rape and murder of Laura Donnelly, 22, at Ferguslie Cricket Club in 2000 - was attacked by Alexander in Paisley's Glen Street in 2003.

Alexander was sentenced to three years' detention for that attack.