An Ayrshire knife thug who brutally slashed a man claimed it was a "little fight between friends".
Joseph Elder, 33, attacked Liam Marshall in the car park of the Tesco store in Ayr on New Year's Day.
The pair had been arguing in a motor before Elder struck the 27-year-old – leaving him scarred for life.
Elder, of Maybole, was today locked up for three years after he pleaded guilty to attacking the victim to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
The pair had been left in the vehicle as a woman went to the store.
However, they got out and appeared to start fighting.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop told the High Court in Glasgow: "Police were parked in the same car park.
"They saw...Elder repeatedly swinging his arms at Liam Marshall in a slashing motion."
Officers later stopped Elder and he was taken to a local police station.
Mr Jessop added: "While being taken to custody, he stated: 'It was just a little fight between friends. I got dragged out of the car and just defended myself'."
A Stanley knife was found in the vehicle. Mr Marshall later insisted it was a "silly argument" which "turned violent".
However, he was left with two nasty cheek wounds which needed 25 stitches.
It emerged Elder was previously jailed in 2016 for four years at the high court for assault with intent to rob.
He was also on bail at the time.
Lord Sandison told Elder: "The fact this happened in a supermarket car park in front of a marked police vehicle shows your offending is not marked by any degree of cunning."
The judge said the jail term would have been four-and-a-half years but for the guilty plea.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
