THE man behind a terrifying blade attack in Irvine that left a man seriously injured claimed to police he'd been holding a vape, a court has heard.

John Reid, 42, pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting a man and striking him with a knife or similar instrument to his severe injury, and of possessing a knife.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court was told how police received a call on November 21 last year reporting that Reid had been slashed by a neighbour.

Officers went to a property in the town and saw blood staining in the common close, leading to them forcing entry to the property.

They found Reid in the bathroom with a significant injury to his face, and blood-stained clothing on the living room floor. 

Reid was taken to hospital and told police that he had been met by two men when walking down High Street, and was assaulted by one of them. 

Police traced the two males on High Street, and found both of them injured.

They told officers that they had both been assaulted, and that one had been struck by a machete. 

CCTV footage showed the two men being followed by Reid and another man, with Reid in possession of a machete.

The CCTV also showed the other man alongside Reid assault one of the two men, before Reid assaulted the second man. 

Reid, who was described in court papers as a prisoner at HMP Kilmarnock, denied being in possession of a weapon, and instead told police that he had been holding a vape.

One of the men was taken to Crosshouse Hospital for his injuries, where he underwent surgery on his hand.

Reid's lawyer told the court that his client had been living alone in Irvine and was unemployed.

He explained that Reid and his partner had separated shortly before the incident, and the separation had pushed him back towards drink and drugs. 

He claimed that Reid knew the complainer, and that he had frequented his house alongside others, engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Reid, the lawyer said, felt like the pair had taken advantage of him, and that the argument between the pair had escalated to the incident in High Street.

Sheriff Murdoch Mactaggart deferred sentencing for reports, and Reid was remanded in custody.