A THUG out on licence was captured on CCTV as he tried to murder an 18-year-old man in broad daylight in a busy street.

On Wednesday, at the High Court in Glasgow, Andrew Sutherland, 29, from Greenock, admitted attempting to murder Reece Warnock by repeatedly stabbing him at Princess Street, Port Glasgow, on August 27, 2019.

Prosecutor Owen Mullan told the court that Reece, 18, who was carrying out a court community payback order in Port Glasgow, was followed into the Spar store by Sutherland at around 3pm.

Reece browsed in the store and then walked back out to the Inverclyde Council minivan which was transporting him and others to their work placements.

Mr Mullan said: “Reece Warnock appeared oblivious to the fact that the accused was walking after him.

“The accused then seized Reece Warnock by the body and then repeatedly struck him with a knife.

“The CCTV footage shows the accused in possession of a knife and striking Reece Warnock and then kicking him on the body while he was on the ground.

“The accused was captured on CCTV closing over what appears to be a lockback knife.”

Sutherland then got into a taxi with another man and drove away. Reece managed to get to his feet and entered the Semi Chem store where he collapsed in front of shocked shop workers.

The shocking CCTV footage was shown in court.

Reece was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley suffering from a liver laceration, collapsed lungs and multiple cuts to his arms.

Mr Mullan said: “His injuries were deemed life threatening. He was discharged from hospital on August 31, 2019.

“He died on October 17, 2019 from a drugs overdose. At the time of his death he was living at home with his mother and brother.”

At the time of the murder bid Sutherland was out on licence. He was sentenced to five years at the High Court in Glasgow in 2016 for assault to danger of life and released on November 21, 2018.

Judge Lord Armstrong deferred sentence on Sutherland until November 25 for a background report and a risk assessment.

Sutherland, who appeared in court via a video link, is remanded in custody.

Defence counsel John McElroy will give his plea in mitigation when the case calls again.