A MACHETE thug has been jailed for an 'utterly disgraceful' blade attack that chipped a man's skull in a Helensburgh street.

Connor Taylor admitted attacking Paul Wright at a property in Buchanan Road on November 29 last year.

He also pleaded guilty last month to a second charge of possession of the weapon.

The Advertiser previously reported that Taylor was seen exiting the property in possession of what appeared to be a machete in the company of another man.

Wright then appeared at the doorway and Taylor struck him to the head, which appeared to injure him.

Taylor, who was aged 20 at the time, then made off in the direction of Buchanan Road.

The 21-year-old appeared from custody for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on September 19.

His lawyer, Katie Stewart, told the court: "He is a young person. Unfortunately at the time of the offence he had slipped back into illicit drug use.

"He tells me at that time he was injecting heroin, crack cocaine and consuming valium. He gives a very upfront position of what happened on that night.

"He attended a friend's house where he consumed drugs. He was heavily under the influence and a person he knew had a difficulty with him in the past had also attended at the property.

"His mother was contacted to collect Mr Taylor to minimise any risk and he was taken away from the situation."

Sheriff Gallacher replied: "I struggle with that bit. Why did he summon his mum to collect him rather than just leave? He's not 12."

Ms Stewart continued: "He has had significant flashbacks from that evening. I don't want to narrate him as a victim, but as a young person that has caused him significant trauma.

"He has regret and can't understand why he acted in such a violent manner.

"This is the first offence where he actually used a weapon. He accepts full responsibility and [that] this could have been fatal.

"He tells me that he accepts that he is either going to go down two roads, where he causes serious injury to another or serious injury to himself. He doesn't want that.

"It is important to note the lack of offending between 2020 and 2023 that was a time in Mr Taylor's life that was very positive. He was working as a butcher and with relevant support he would like to go back.

"He needs positive structure in his life to ensure that he doesn't slip back into drug misuse. He wants a positive life and a life where he is contributing to society."

Addressing Taylor, Sheriff Gallacher said: "You were in possession of a machete which is more lethal than any weapon.

"Not only did you have it in your possession, you then attacked somebody that caused a chip in the person's skull.

"It is an utterly disgraceful attack and one that could have resulted in the person's death.

"I have to take into account that I am sentencing you as a very young person. The fact that you appear with a criminal history that is more than one page is catastrophic for you and everybody else.

"Your maturity may not have reached the point that it should."

Taylor was jailed for two years, backdated to December 11 for the time he has already spent in custody.