A man with convictions for violence and carrying a knife has admitted attacking a Belgian student in South Ayrshire and leaving him scarred for life.
Kieran Gates, 22, attacked 21-year-old Benjamin Faraguna in the Ayr's Auld Brigg in November last year.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that a friend of Gates had verbally abused the victim before he got involved and struck Mr Faraguna with a knife.
Sentence on Gates was deferred until next month.
Lord Boyd said he was considering imposing an extended sentence on Gates.
The judge told him: "This is your fourth conviction for crimes of violence."
The court heard that Mr Faraguna suffered a 12cm wound to his head.
A 17-year-old male, was also accused of being involved, had his not guilty plea accepted by prosecutors.
