John McGungle (56), was jailed for a period of 12 months following the drunken attack which left his long-time drinking partner permanently disfigured.

The attack occurred at at a house on Peterhead's Windmill Street on December 15 of last year.

McGungle, who is an inmate at Aberdeen Prison, was handed the jail term at Peterhead Sheriff Court on Thursday.

After previously pleading guilty to the offence, McGungle was convicted of repeatedly punching Kenneth Cumming on the body and repeatedly striking him on the head with a knife to his injury and permanent disfigurement.

Procurator Fiscal Sandy Hutchinson told the court that McGungle had been drinking with Mr Cumming and some other friends on the day of the attack.

He said the accused had picked up a knife and began to strike Mr Cumming while he was in a semi-consious state.

Mr Hutchinson added: "There does not seem to be any particular reason why."

The court heard that Mr Cumming was taken to Peterhead Community Hospital following the attack and then transferred to a surgeon in Aberdeen.

Defence agent for McGungle, Gail Wiggans, said: "Mr McGungle is a widower and has four grown up children. It appears that things went downhill for him after the death of his wife.

"Since his wife's death he has had issues with alcohol and had a circle of friends who were in the same boat. They had been drinking from mid-morning and throughout the day.

Miss Wiggans said her client had known the complainer for around 16 years and the two had become drinking buddies.

The court heard McGungle had taken offence after Mr Cumming made sexual advances towards some much younger ladies. Miss Wiggans added: "He accepts his actions were unacceptable."

Sheriff David Hall, told McGungle: "You have accepted that your behaviour is unacceptable but for you to strike your friend on the head with a knife to his permanent disfigurement is completely unacceptable to this court."