A man has been jailed for five years after knifing another man who apparently made a jibe about his mum.
Michael Gardiner slashed James Reid down his chest outside the Guildhall and Linen Exchange pub in Dunfermline, Fife, last November 13.
A judge heard how the victim was struck just millimetres from vital organs.
Gardiner was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.
He had earlier admitted assaulting Mr Reid to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.
‘You fooled him into thinking you were going to shake hands with him, but instead slashed and stabbed him to the body.’
Judge Johanna Johnston QC
Judge Johanna Johnston QC told the 37 year-old: “This was a vicious attack which followed upon a minor argument with Mr Reid.
“You fooled him into thinking you were going to shake hands with him, but instead slashed and stabbed him to the body.”
Gardiner will also be supervised for three years on his release.
The hearing was told Mr Reid was standing outside the Wetherspoons pub when Gardiner confronted him.
After punching the victim, Gardiner apologised and Mr Reid “thought there would be no further trouble”.
But, Gardiner went on to knife the victim, who then pleaded with a friend to call an ambulance.
Mr Reid needed surgery for a large wound to his chest.
Prosecutor Chris McKenna said: “It was millimetres away from organs. It had the potential to be fatal.”
Gordon Martin, defending, told the court: “Had this case gone to trial, there would have been evidence that Reid was being less than complimentary about Gardiner’s mother.
“However, that does not justify what Gardiner did.”
Sentencing, judge Johnston said the attacker had been deemed a “high risk” of reoffending by social workers compiling a pre-sentencing report.
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