David Gallagher had drunk himself into oblivion at a house party before the night erupted in violence.

The 19-year-old hit his victim so hard with the weapon it left a dent in the man’s skull that will be a life-long reminder of the terrifying attack.

Gallagher admitted assaulting his victim on November 3 last year at Duntiglennan Road, Duntocher, by repeatedly punching and kicking him as well as using a hammer that left the man severely injured, permanently impaired and disfigured.

Gallagher, whose previous convictions include a 12-month sentence for assault and robbery, appeared in the dock at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to face the consequences of his despicable behaviour.

Fiscal depute Scott Simpson told the court Gallagher’s victim suffered three lacerations to the head, a cut to his nose and left cheek, as well as a fractured index finger and little finger on his left hand as a result of the sustained assault.

He explained that the victim continued to suffer from severe headaches and the injuries to his hand had restricted his ability to grip items. He had also experienced forgetfulness and although there was no fracture to the skull the attack had left the man with a dent on his head that will be there for the rest of his life.

Defence agent Ms McTaggart acknowledged that her client had previous convictions dating back to 2011 but noted that he had tendered a guilty plea at a first diet which meant witnesses were not required to attend trial.

She added: “My client does not seek to excuse his behaviour but has little or no recollection of the incident due to the amount of alcohol he had consumed. My client also sustained injuries during the incident however his injuries were very minor scrapes and bruises.” She went on to say that Gallagher had himself been the victim of a stabbing in 2011 and required emergency surgery which she said gave her client some understanding of the after effects of such a serious assault and contributed to his “deep remorse”.

She added: “He is a young man who has been drinking to excess and on this occasion he was drinking himself into oblivion.” Sheriff Simon Pender jailed Gallagher, of Watchmeal Crescent, for three years and two months backdated to November 26 and imposed a year-long supervised release order to kick in on the day he is released from prison. Gallagher was also given a consecutive sentence of two months and seven days for breaching a bail curfew and a further 45 days for three similar breaches.