A MAN let out of prison for just a matter of days went on to attack a plasterer with a pair of scissors, a court has heard.

Homeless James Hayes, 40, was walking out of Ulverston with all his worldly goods when he got involved in an altercation in the street with a group of youths.

A nearby resident came out of his home to try and diffuse the situation, but was stabbed in the hand by Hayes, who was holding scissors in his fist.

The resulting injury, a centimetre long puncture wound to the hand, was said to have had a significant effect upon the victim Shaun McKenzie.

Hayes was given two years prison by a judge, but had to dragged from the court room after physically starting to struggle with dock officers on learning his fate. He had pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and also having an offensive weapon.

Preston Crown Court heard that in July last year Hayes was given an 18-week prison sentence for two common assaults and possessing a knife. He had been released on licence just days prior to the latest offences on September 17 in the County Square area of Ulverston.

Michael Blakey, prosecuting, said Mr McKenzie was at home that evening when he became aware of a noise outside. He saw the defendant and a number of teenagers on the street and there seemed to be trouble.

Worried about what was taking place and having heard mention that the defendant may have a knife, Mr McKenzie went outside.

Mr Blakey said “He confronted the defendant about what was going on and the defendant lashed out at him with a clenched fist, shouting and swearing at him.

“Mr McKenzie was telling him to go away. The defendant swung at him with what he thought was his right fist.

“He put his hand up to defend his face and immediately felt a sharp pain and realised he had been stabbed.”

Mr McKenzie went to hospital for treatment to a puncture wound in his palm.

In interview Hayes spoke of being attacked by the teenagers and that there had been nine youths in the group. He said a scooter had hit his leg which had an ulcer at the time was very painful. He also claimed Mr McKenzie did not like him.

MORE TOP STORIES: In a victim personal statement Mr McKenzie said the injury had caused him a lot of distress and that it had been a deep wound.

James Heyworth, defending, said Hayes had served the equivalent of a 12 month sentence since then in custody. Before that he had been homeless for a significant period in Ulverston.

The barrister explained “On the day of the offences he had packed up his worldly belongings and was physically walking out of Ulverston, to get away from the area.

“He had a pair of scissors which were part of his wash kit. He was using them to apply a dressing on his leg.”

A judge gave him two years prison for the wounding and nine months, to run concurrently, for the other offence.