A FUGITIVE knife thug on the run from police has bragged about being expelled from school for assaulting his head teacher when he was a child.

Jonathan Kelly, 34, from Drumchapel, Glasgow, boasted about his violent past - and also claimed his father is a convicted murderer.

He was freed from Low Moss Prison, Bishopbriggs, in August, but his licence for freedom was revoked last month for failing to comply with conditions.

A police operation is under way to find Kelly, however, he has repeatedly given them the slip.

While still in prison, Kelly wrote: "At school I was suspended for fighting, expelled from secondary school for assaulting the head teacher.

"I still managed to leave school with seven GCSEs." These are English exam qualifications.

He is understood to have been expelled from his school in the South Side of Glasgow, when he was about 12 or 13.

Later in the letter he warned: "There is no one willing to take me on. I will not hesitate to inflict serious damage."

Senior officers believe Kelly has been supported by friends who have helped him remain a step ahead of police.

He has previously told of attacking people, and even paralysing a man in a machete attack.

Kelly's letter was written to campaign group Miscarriages Of Justice UK and tells about his horrific record of violence.

Kelly, who was born in the city's East End, wrote how he was first locked up - for three years - for paralysing a man in a machete attack.

It was the first of several jail terms. He boasts in the letter: "Seven High Court trials, but only three convictions."

It is understood Kelly has "associates" across the Glasgow area, and he may have met many of them during his time in prison.

Detective Inspector Ian Hylands said: "I would appeal to Kelly to give himself up and contact police with a view to handing himself in."

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk