A TEENAGER currently locked up for smashing a steel wrench against a man's skull is to be sentenced on the eve of his 19th birthday.

Jamie McLaughlin carried out the shocking street attack in broad daylight in Port Glasgow after an argument had erupted among a group of individuals.

McLaughlin went to the boot of a car which had just pulled up on Auchenbothie Road, grabbed the weapon and inflicted a heavy blow to the back of the man's head.

Prosecutor Joanne Gilmour told Greenock Sheriff Court: "The complainer's face was covered in blood and an ambulance was summoned.

"It was the ambulance service who contacted the police."

The court heard how the injured man had referred to a woman as being 'a grass' moments before the attack took place at around 2.30pm on February 19.

A loud argument had already developed involving a woman and a number of males prior to the arrival of the car, with a man and another woman getting out of the vehicle.

The injured man was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital where a laceration to his scalp was repaired with four staples.

Fiscal depute Ms Gilmour said: "He discharged himself against medical advice prior to a CT scan taking place and told police that four unknown males had assaulted him."

The court was told that an independent witness identified McLaughlin as being the culprit.

McLaughlin — who is currently remanded in custody — had been charged with attacking the man to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

However, this was reduced to an assault to injury as part of a negotiated plea of guilty.

He was subject to three separate bail orders regarding other criminal matters at the time of the offence.

Ms Gilmour said: "A doctor had indicated that the injury was minor."

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre deferred sentence until August 1 and further remanded McLaughlin.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher chose to reserve his plea in mitigation on behalf of his client until then.