A knife attacker was jailed for six years after attempting to murder a stranger who tried to calm him down after he was put out a pub.

Oliver Winters repeatedly slashed Stuart Murray with a Stanley knife in the High Street, of Johnstone, in Renfrewshire in the brutal assault.

A judge told Winters,31, at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday: "You intended to cause harm to a stranger who was simply trying to diffuse a situation caused by you."

Lord Colbeck said: "The far reaching effects of your unprovoked assault on Mr Murray are described in his victim impact statement which makes harrowing reading."

"The present offence represents a significant escalation in your offending behaviour," he told Winters, whose previous convictions include public disorder and weapons offences.

The judge told Winters he would have faced a nine year prison term if he was convicted after trial, but the sentence would be reduced following his guilty plea.

Winters earlier admitted attempting to murder Mr Murray, 37, on December 16 last year by repeatedly striking him on the head and body with a knife to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life.

The court heard that both men were in a busy bar in the Renfrewshire town, but were not in the company of each other.

Winters was escorted from the premises following a disturbance in the pub but was heard shouting, swearing and issuing challenges to fight.

Prosecutor James Irvine said: "Stuart Murray and another man left the bar to de-escalate the situation. Mr Murray approached Winters and stated: 'What are you playing at?'."

They ended up in a struggle before Winters produced a Stanley knife. Mr Murray tried to jump a fence to get away from Winters but fell.

While he was on the ground Winters repeatedly struck him with the blade as the victim used his hands to try to protect his face.

The victim suffered wounds to his face, neck, wrist and chest. One wound to his neck was close to major blood vessels, including a jugular vein and carotid artery. He later required surgery.

Winters, who was under the influence of drink and drugs, was later arrested at his mother's home in Paisley, in Renfrewshire. He is currently a prisoner.

Defence solicitor advocate Robert Mitchell said Winters' offending appeared to be linked to the abuse of drugs and alcohol, but he has since undergone a detox. He has also taken part in an offence reduction programme.

He said that although there was no actual danger to life in the case it was accepted that a significant custodial sentence was "inevitable".

Mr Mitchell asked the judge to take into account Winters' remorse in sentencing him.