A vicious thug who invited a man to a shed for a cup of tea before subjecting him to a terrifying attack was jailed for eight years today (tues) as a judge expressed her surprise that he was originally prosecuted in the sheriff court.

Lady Scott told Steven Alexander that he had subjected his victim to "a horrific ordeal of threats and violence" that lasted some three hours.

The judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh: "This kind of violence and terror employed to further drug dealing is abhorrent."

Alexander (41) was originally convicted of a string of charges at a trial before a sheriff, whose maximum power of sentence is five years' imprisonment, but was sent to the High Court because of its greater powers of sentencing.

Lady Scott told him: "I am surprised this case was prosecuted in the sheriff court." The judge said the victim underwent a long period of treatment to a leg injury and "remains traumatised".

Alexander was found guilty of abducting and assaulting Stephen McCammont while acting with another to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement at Bluebell Drive, Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire, on July 3 in 2012.

The victim was detained in a garden hut, threatened that he would be shot, repeatedly punched in the face and stabbed in the leg during the attack. Alexander was also accused of throwing darts at his head, threatening to attach a car battery to his testicles and threatening to cut off his fingers as the payment of money was demanded.

Mr McCammont (25) told Alexander's trial that he was told to sit there and not say a word.

Alexander was also found guilty of sending text messages threatening violence and possessing a firearm.

He was also convicted of being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug Methylethcathinone, sometimes known as "Moonshine", between July 2011 and July 2012. He further admitted possessing cannabis and diazepam at a house in Bluebell Drive in July 2012.

Defence counsel Derick Nelson said it was accepted that a "substantial custodial sentence" would be imposed on Alexander.

He said surgery was necessary following tendon damage inflicted by the stab wound to the victim.

Mr Nelson said that Alexander had "a bad drug problem" for some time. He was suffering depression and anxiety after the death of his mother and although he was receiving prescription medication he was also taking illegal drugs. He lost his job as a joiner.

The defence counsel said that at the time of the offence he owed money for drugs and pressure was being put on him. Mr McCammont owed him pounds 400.

Mr Nelson said Alexander was "pretty much in a haze most of the time" as he was taking Moonshine and using cannabis and diazepam to bring him down from the drug. "For some time his life had been off the rails," he added.

The defence counsel said Alexander had expressed remorse and regret in a background report prepared on him.