TWO THUGS who scarred a pensioner in a brutal baton attack were jailed today for a total of five years and six months.

Michael Sutherland, 34, who smashed Janette Connell, 69, over the head with the police-style weapon at her home in the city’s Milton in January was caged for four years and four months.

Sutherland and co-accused Ian Donnelly, 23, who was jailed for 16 months, had initially raided the house looking for a man who was not there.

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Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the search took place amid claims that Sutherland and his family were threatened by a rival family.

Sutherland and Donnelly pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the assault to Mrs Connell’s severe injury.

Sutherland also admitted a separate charge of issuing threats to Detective Sergeant Thomas Carey’s safety.

The court heard Mrs Connell was at home on Castlebay Street caring for her terminally ill husband when the accused burst in with Sutherland brandishing a “police-style baton.”

Sutherland confronted Mrs Connell and was told only her and her husband were in the house.”

The victim fled but was followed by the pair.

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Sutherland asked Mrs Connell if she was “Avril’s mum” and she replied: “Yes.”

Sutherland then struck her a single blow to the forehead with the baton.”

The pair then fled the scene and Mrs Connell was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Her 3.5cm wound which required six stitches has left her scarred.

The hearing was told Sutherland confessed to the attack in phone calls to DC Carey before going on to threaten him. 

He said: “I should have popped you on the back of the head, you come and threaten my family then you will get it.

“See when you come for me, you’s better come for me with all the big c***s.

“I should have shot you when I saw you, I will come to the cop shop and I will follow you home, see when I see you, you’re done.”

Sutherland’s lawyer told the court that the pair had initially gone to Mrs Connell’s property “looking for a man.”

He said: “There was dispute going on between two separate Glasgow families.

“A threat was made to Sutherland and his family which were considered genuine.

“He took the decision to deal with the threat himself and that’s why he was in the house and he shouldn’t have done that.”

Lawyer Paul McCue, defending, Donnelly stated that the welder accepts he was involved on an art and part basis.

It was also revealed that Sutherland has previous convictions for drugs, weapons and assaults with a knife and baseball bat while Donnelly has a conviction for assault to severe injury.

Sheriff Joseph Platt said: “It’s quite clear the only appropriate disposal are custodial ones.”