A thug has been jailed for a savage early morning weapon attack over an argument on social media.
Kalvin Boyd left his victim covered in blood, nursing six broken ribs and having to spend three days in hospital after the metal pole and baseball bat attack.
Boyd, 27, had an online row with a man named Andrew Farquhar, 28, last October.
Just a few hours later, at 12.45am, the thug and a handful of other yobs stormed Farquhar's home in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire.
Farquhar, his brother, Mark Tierney, and their mum, Isabella Farquhar, 67, were asleep at the time.
And Mr Tierney, 45, ended up being hospitalised after being set upon by Boyd and another thug, wielding the weapons.
Boyd, of Kilwinning, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault to severe injury and returned to the dock at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court this week to be sentenced.
Prosecutor Emma Gilliland said Isabella Farquhar ran from her bedroom and headed upstairs when the window and front door were smashed, while her sons went to investigate.
She explained: "They saw four or five males outside and recognised one as Kalvin Boyd, in possession of a two-foot metal pole.
"Isabella Farquhar saw Kalvin Boyd with a baseball bat, shouting and swearing.
"Mark Tierney attended the front door and asked them to leave and was immediately set upon.
"He was struck about the head and body with the baseball bat.
"He has fallen back as the assault continued."
Andrew Farquhar rushed to his brother's aid and dragged him away as Boyd and another man rained blows on him with a metal pole.
The emergency services were contacted and Tierney was rushed to hospital, where he received treatment and spent three days recuperating.
Solicitor Advocate Simon Brown said Boyd claimed Mr Tierney had come to the door armed with a knife.
He said police had recovered a kitchen knife nearby but that it had not been linked to anyone through DNA.
He added: "He appreciates his consumption of alcohol played a significant role in this offence.
"He recognises he was wrong to get involved and he recognises he was wrong to conduct himself in the way that he did."
Sheriff David Hall said: "This is a serious offence. You went to a family home, in the hours of darkness, when they were in their beds asleep and then carried out the assault described.
"The only appropriate sentence is a custodial sentence."
He caged Boyd for 15 months, reduced from 18 as he admitted his guilt.
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