Prisoner jailed for milk carton attack
A violent offender has been jailed for nine years for attacking a prison officer with a milk carton.
Sean McFarlane was serving jail terms totalling 10 years when he attacked Douglas Livingstone at Greenock Prison on 20 September 2011.
The 32-year-old was convicted of attacking the victim to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
McFarlane has more than 70 convictions, including possession of knives and an offence involving the use of a knife.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Scott told McFarlane that there appeared to be "no apparent reason" for the assault other than it took place against the background of a minor disturbance at Greenock jail.
Lady Scott told the prisoner that she had decided not to impose a life sentence on him under an Order for Lifelong Restriction.
But the judge said that, because of the seriousness of the offence and the public interest, she would impose an extended sentence on him.
Following the nine-year custodial term he will be under supervision for a further three years, which may involve risk management measures he has to comply with, and during which he can be returned to prison if he fails to follow conditions.
The judge ordered that McFarlane should begin serving the latest sentence immediately.