A THUG who drove at a man in Knightswood before leaving the vehicle with an axe has been spared a prison term.

Albert Kane, 56, targeted the unknown victim on June 28, 2020.

Kane mounted a grass verge while at the wheel of a BMW 218, forcing the man to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

Kane then got out of the car and shouted at the victim while clutching the weapon.

He pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a charge of dangerous driving.

The court heard a witness clocked "fast-moving" Kane at Knightswood Shopping Centre.

Prosecutor Danielle McGuinness said: "The BMW mounted the grass verge in front of him.

"The driver deliberately drove towards a man causing him to jump out the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle."

Kane exited the car and shouted: "Gab or Garth, come here" at the victim.

CCTV later obtained showed Kane leave the BMW with an "axe or similar implement."

The witness contacted the police who were also given the car's registration.

The details were traced to another man who claimed friend Kane was the sole driver and insurance holder for the car.

Miss McGuinness added: "As officers were leaving the man's house, another man appeared at the door.

"When asked his name he said he was Albert Kane and he matched the description given by the witness."

Kane was then arrested.

Sheriff Stuart Reid ordered Kane, of Knightswood, to do 300 hours of unpaid work - the maximum permitted under the law - and ordered him to be tagged for 163 days, during which time Kane will be confined to his home between 7pm and 7am.

He was also disqualified from driving for 27 months and put under social work supervision for a year.