A pool hustler who left an opponent scarred for life three years after attacking another player who beat him was jailed on Monday.

Mark Neville was on bail - having carried out two previous knife attacks - when he smashed a glass in the face of James Carcary in a row over £5.

Neville, who hit Mr Carcary so hard he was left with a bone protruding from his face, was jailed for 16 months at Perth Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher heard how Neville attacked his victim in June 3 last year - two months after being granted bail for pulling a knife on his ex-girlfriend.

Fiscal depute Charmaine Cole told the court that Neville had been playing pool in the Corinna Hotel in Perth with Mr Carcary, who was not previously known to him.

She said they had fallen into an argument and Neville used his pint glass to smash his opponent's face, leaving him with no feeling and needing surgery. Mr Carcary has been left scarred for life.

Neville, 25, of Duncansby Way, Perth, admitted assaulting and injuring Mr Carcary while on bail by striking him on the face with a glass and leaving him permanently disfigured.

Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: "He was playing pool and Mr Carcary invited him to participate in a number of matches. It was agreed the winner would be rewarded by the purchase of alcohol.

"For the third game the prize was to be £5. The complainer purchased drinks after Mr Neville won the first two games."

Neville won the third game as well, which led to a dispute over the money, and claims by Mr Carcary that Neville was "a hustler" who had been cheating.

The court was told that the matter he was on bail for - pulling a knife on his ex-girlfriend - had been dealt with and Neville had been placed on probation.

In 2009, sore loser Neville was ordered to carry out 180 hours community service after attacking an opponent with a knife after being beaten at pool.

Neville pulled the weapon on stranger George Moffat. He admitted assaulting Mr Moffat by presenting a knife at him in Princes Street, Perth, on 16 July 2007.

Yesterday, Sheriff Fletcher told him: "This is your third incident involving assault with a weapon. “This resulted in injuries which left permanent scars on the victim.

"A person in the position of having three different assaults involving weapons cannot expect anything but a custodial disposal."