A 17-YEAR-OLD THUG who scarred a man for life by assaulting him after a 21st birthday party walked free from court on Monday.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pounced on James Currie, 25, in Pollokshields last August.

Mr Currie was punched to the ground and hit on the head and body.

His teenage attacker pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Sheriff Martin Jones QC ordered the thug to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also put under supervision for 18 months and will be tagged for six months keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am.

The court heard Mr Currie was followed by hooded youths after he left the party on St Andrews Drive.

Prosecutor Graham Macdonald said: “They assaulted him by kicking and punching him to the head and body.

“This caused him to fall to the ground and they then continued to punch and kick his head and body while he covered his head with his hands.”

The brutal attack lasted 30 seconds before the youths fled the scene.

Mr Currie was taken to hospital for treatment to three cuts on his head and marks to his face.

Mr Macdonald told the court that Mr Currie has been left with three small scars on his head.

The teenager was later traced by police in September after they viewed CCTV.