A JUDGE may impose a life sentence on a violent thug who almost blinded his girlfriend after pouring bleach over her hair and body.

At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lady Stacey ordered a risk assessment on 22-year-old David McNiven to determine the danger he poses to the public, today, Friday, January 10.

Depending on this report she could impose an order for lifelong restriction – the equivalent of a life sentence – on McNiven.

He admitted assaulting Naomi Marshall to the danger of her life and taking her hostage in his New Cumnock flat in June last year.

Lady Stacey told McNiven: “I have to think about the safety of the public.”

Defence counsel Simon Gilbride said: “He subjected the complainer to a horrendous ordeal, but has no memory of what occurred.

“He said he was very fond of her and deeply regrets what he put her through.”

Mr Gilbride added: “At the heart of this is self harm on his part.”

The horrific ordeal took place during a 20-minute 999 call made by McNiven.

McNiven barricaded Noami – whom he had been in a relationship with for a month - inside the house and set fire to the living room while she suffered in agony as the bleach got into her eyes.

Prosecutor Erin Campbell said: “He began pushing her into the living room then went to the kitchen and returned with a knife.”

McNiven dialled 999 from his mobile phone and told the operator: “I’ve got a hostage, I’ve nothing to lose, I’m going to detonate, I’ll cut the f***ing pipes.

“I’ll kill her, I want someone to shoot me.”

McNiven threatened to “slice her throat then ordered her to lie on the floor and poured bleach all over her hair and back.

The prosecutor added: “She immediately felt her skin burning, she tried to get up and felt the bleach running into her eyes.”

McNiven continued to attack Miss Marshall and choke her while pointing a knife at her throat.

He then set the room on fire.

Firefighters rescued the pair from the flat.

Miss Marshall’s eyes were red and inflamed and required immediate treatment.

Miss Campbell said : “Had she not had this treatment then this injury would have resulted in a loss of vision.”

Miss Marshall also sustained several bruises to her head and needed 10 stitches to her lip.

McNiven, who has 14 previous convictions, also admitted setting fire to a pile of clothes at a Kilmarnock flat in April last year.

Sentence was deferred on McNiven until April.