A 54-year-old woman who hit a knife thug with her handbag as he tried to stab a man has been praised in court.

The High Court in Glasgow was told that 54-year-old Joan Teese went into action when she saw Allan Bain stabbing 24-year-old Keith Balducci in Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, on July 6.

Prosecutor Bernard Ablett said: "Mrs Teese saw Bain had a knife in his hand and was making repeated stabbing motions towards a young man on the ground.

"Without regard for her own safety she began to hit the accused with her handbag and trying to pull him away from the man on the ground. In the course of this she was struck on the arm with the knife herself, although she did not realise this at the time."

On Friday Bain, 27, of Gadshill Street, Glasgow, admitted striking Mr Balducci on the hand with a knife and repeatedly attempting to strike him on the body with it. He also admitted striking Mrs Teese on the arm with the weapon,

Co-accused David Barrie, 25, of Denmark Street, Glasgow, admitted stabbing Mr Balducci's friend Thomas Gallacher, 22, in the chest to the danger of his life.

The court heard that Bain and Barrie, who have previous convictions for assault, launched an unprovoked attack on Mr Balducci and Mr Gallacher as they walked along with their friend Sarah Duffy.

Without any warning Barrie, who had a knife in his hand, lunged forward and stabbed Mr Gallacher in the chest. Barrie then swung the knife again but Mr Gallacher managed to fend him off and ran to a nearby pub. Outside Mr Balducci fell as he tried to run away from Bain who repeatedly tried to stab him.

Temporary judge Sean Murphy QC told both accused: "You have pleaded guilty to serious offences involving an unprovoked attack on members of the public enjoying themselves on a summer's evening. This is likely to attract significant custodial sentences."

Both men were remanded in custody and sentence was deferred until next month.