James Kilday admits stabbing cousin Joseph Timmons 40 times
A man who stabbed his cousin about 40 times following a minor argument is facing a lengthy jail term after admitting a charge of attempted murder.
James Kilday, 26, attacked 27-year-old Joseph Timmons while they were at the Paisley home of the victim's uncle, Brian McElwee, on April 27 this year.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how Mr Timmons required life-saving surgery and spent almost a month in hospital.
Sentence on Kilday was deferred and he was remanded in custody.
The court heard Kilday and Mr Timmons were cousins and the victim considered them to "being like brothers" and "best friends".
Both men were at Mr McElwee's home in Gallowhill Court, Paisley, when an argument broke out between them - although it is not known why.
Mr McElwee decided to leave his house and said that both men were uninjured when he did.
Prosecutor Paul Kearney told the court that, within the next 25 minutes, Mr Timmons was subjected to a "brutal and sustained assault" by his cousin.
He added: "The accused inflicted around 40 separate injuries with a knife or similar object before leaving the flat.
"His clothes were saturated with blood with this being captured on CCTV."
Kilday was later found in the early hours sitting outside a woman's house and told her that he had "battered" Mr Timmons.
He then went to visit his sister Leeann Kilday and confessed to "stabbing somebody in the face".
Kilday's other sister Harriet Jackson then went to Mr McElwee's home on hearing what had happened.
After being let in, she found Mr Timmons lying on the floor in a pool of blood and when asked who had attacked he said: "James".
Mr Timmons was rushed to hospital having suffered multiple stab wounds.
Victim in coma
He had 16 to his face, neck and head, 14 to the hands and arms, three to the back and six more on his legs.
Mr Kearney said he required emergency surgery to save his life having suffered a cardiac arrest.
The advocate depute added: "His prognosis at this time was extremely poor and he was not expected to survive."
However, his condition slowly improved although he remained in a coma for several days.
The court was told that when Kilday, from Paisley, was detained, he made no comment when interviewed.
Judge Lord Pentland said the offence involved a "high level of violence" and that he was considering an extended sentence.