A serial attacker who slashed a fellow thug in jail could be facing a life sentence.

Mark McSorley repeatedly struck Kyle Beard with a makeshift weapon of a handle with two blades attached.

The 31-year-old attacked Beard in B Hall at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow last October 15 as evening meals were being dished out.

After being held, McSorley, of Ayr, South Ayrshire, briefly explained what happened by stating: "It is an outside thing."

Beard, 27, was awaiting sentencing at the time for the horrific attempted murder of Francis McCann in Glasgow's Merchant City in March 2019.

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Beard - later locked up for five years - stabbed Mr McCann in the neck hours after a Celtic and Rangers match at Parkhead.

It emerged a severe neck wound was also one of the injuries the thug suffered after being attacked by McSorley.

It is thought he needed around 40 stitches following the slashing.

Prosecutor Chris McKenna told the High Court in Glasgow that Beard refused to help police with investigations.

McSorley was back behind bars having also repeatedly stabbed Ryan Cameron in Racecourse Road, Ayr, on February 8 last year.

Mr Cameron was attacked after a heated row on social media with a friend of McSorley.

He was pounced upon by three individuals including McSorley who was armed with a large knife.

Mr McKenna said: "He had multiple stab wounds - five in total to the face, abdomen, back and thigh."

McSorley today pleaded guilty to assaulting Beard and Mr Cameron to their severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

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The court heard he already had a string of violent convictions including a seven-and-a-half-year high court sentence.

He was only freed from HMP Shotts towards late 2020.

Mr McKenna said the Crown was moving for a risk assessment order to be carried out on McSorley.

This could eventually lead to an Order for Lifelong Restriction being imposed.

Lorenzo Alonzi, defending, said: "With regards the risk assessment, he is somewhat disappointed in that as he was hopeful of the whole matter being dealt with today."

Judge Douglas Brown adjourned the case until October.

McSorley was remanded in custody meantime.