A THUG who carried out a shocking drug-fuelled attack on two men in Helensburgh has been jailed.

John Cox was under the influence of alcohol and 'street valium' when he carried out the attack with a metal pole during a "large disturbance" at a property in the town.

CCTV footage captured Cox in possession of the weapon outside an address in Buchanan Road on November 29, 2023.

The 45-year-old pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to assaulting the first man by repeatedly striking him on the leg, and assaulting the second man by striking him on the body.

The court was told that police received a call that same evening from the mother of one of Cox's victims, reporting the assault of her son.

Cox was arrested the following day, but was released a short time later on "investigative liberation" whilst police sought CCTV footage of the incident.

The footage showed Cox hitting the first victim twice with the pole and then striking his second victim once on his body.

The procurator fiscal explained to Sheriff James Spy that the CCTV footage showed the incident taking place over a long period of time.

The people involved were heard shouting and screaming throughout, with shouts including "I didn't f***ing touch your maw, don't f***ing do it".

Cox, who was described in court papers as a prisoner at HMP Low Moss in Bishopbriggs, also admitted a third charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting, swearing, brandishing weapons and forming part of a disorderly crowd.

His lawyer told the May 7 hearing: "A dispute between the parties had occurred and the complainers had threatened Mr Cox. The matter had spilled out into the street.

"Instead of removing himself from the locus, he instead armed himself with a pole.

"The complainers in this case are uncooperative and haven't provided any information to the police."

Cox's solicitor then explained that her client had spent 103 days in custody since he first appeared in connection with the incident in January.

Cox's last assault conviction was in 2014.

She continued: "At the time of the offence was under the influence of alcohol and street Valium.

"He was prescribed Valium by his GP; that prescription was withdrawn a number of years ago, so he turned to street valium.

"Since he has been remanded, he has undergone a detoxification process and attends Cocaine Anonymous weekly.

"No-one was injured as a result of his actions during the course of the evening."

Sheriff James Spy told Cox: "Whether they cooperated or not, you struck both of [them] with a metal pole.

"You took part in a large scale disturbance in Helensburgh. You have a criminal past and it requires me to sentence you to custody."

Cox was jailed for eight months, backdated to January 25.