A THUG who bound and gagged a man was snared when he was caught with the victim's distinctive bicycle.

Francis Connelly also slashed Michael Duffy after bursting into a flat in Glasgow's Drygate on October 25 2020.

The 32-year-old, of the city's Royston, asked Mr Duffy's name and demanded to know where the "money and drugs" were, but was told there were none.

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Prosecutor Greg Farrell told the High Court in Glasgow: "Connelly tied an extension cable round Michael Duffy's wrists.

"A sock was placed in his mouth. Connelly then tied the cable around the victim's neck...repeatedly tightening it causing him to choke.

"Michael Duffy pretended to have lost consciousness in the hope Connelly would stop."

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The hearing was told the victim also suffered wounds to his head, eye and hands having been struck with a large kitchen knife.

Connelly fled, but only after he had taken Mr Duffy's green Trek bike and his mobile phone.

Mr Duffy needed hospital treatment as a result of his injuries.

Police turned up the next day at the flat of Connelly's former co-accused Danielle Dennie, 29, in the same block at Drygate.

Mr Farrell: "On opening the door, officers were able to see Michael Duffy's green bike in the hall."

Dennie initially claimed it was only her and two children in the flat - but Connelly was then spotted on the veranda.

Police also discovered the victim's phone there as well as a blood-stained knife.

Connelly pleaded guilty to assaulting and robbing Mr Duffy to his severe injury and danger of his life.

Dennie had her not guilty plea accepted.

The court heard Connelly already had a string of convictions including for violence, theft and drugs.

Lord Stuart remanded him in custody pending sentencing in August.