A Perthshire shopkeeper brutally attacked a customer outside his store, leaving him with broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Nahman Naheem, manager of the News Plus shop and post office in Auchterarder, knocked Andrew McNaughton to the ground and sat on him as he continued to rain down punches.
The victim, who told a passing policeman he was struggling to breathe, needed emergency surgery to fit a drain in his chest.
The frenzied assault followed a falling out between the pair, after Mr McNaughton broke Naheem’s shop door by slamming it.
Naheem, 33, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting 46-year-old Mr McNaughton to his severe injury on June 21 2020.
He was warned he could face imprisonment.
The court heard the shopkeeper was provoked by Mr McNaughton, who threw a punch at him.
Victim was barred from shop
Fiscal depute Marie Lyons told the court: “There was a recent history of animosity between the complainer and the accused regarding a broken glass door.
“Mr McNaughton had attended at the shop about this previously and had acted in a confrontational manner.
“He was barred but still kept attending.”
Ms Lyons said: “At about 7am, Mr McNaughton arrived at the shop to try and sort out the issue with the door.
“Mr McNaughton entered with his hood up and was again confrontational towards the accused.”
Naheem asked him to pay for the damaged door.
“The conversation became heated and they both ended up outside the shop,” said the prosecutor.
“Further words were exchanged and Mr McNaughton gestured towards the accused with his head.
“He then proceeded to walk away, before turning around and throwing a punch at the accused.”
The court heard Naheem’s brother and colleague attempted to restrain Mr McNaughton.
Punched as he lay on the road
Ms Lyons said: “The accused punched Mr McNaughton repeatedly on the body, particularly on the lower side of his back and his ribs.
“Mr McNaughton fell onto the road.
“He was held on the ground as the accused sat on him and continued to punch him.”
As he sat on Mr McNaughton, Naheem flagged down a passing off-duty police officer who called 999.
“Mr McNaughton stated that he was struggling to breathe,” said the fiscal depute.
“The constable assisted the complainer onto his feet and walked him onto the pavement.
“Mr McNaughton was asked if he was injured, as he was bleeding from a cut by his right ear.
“He was taken to Ninewells Hospital where he was examined, given a scan and treated for his injuries.”
Naheem, of Kessington Drive, Bearsden, was arrested two days later and spent a night in the cells before appearing at Dundee Sheriff Court on petition the next day.
Ms Lyons said: “As a consequence of the assault, Mr McNaughton sustained a punctured lung, whereby gas escaped into his chest cavity, and several fractured ribs.
“He underwent surgery to have a drain fitted.”
Naheem’s brother was acquitted of being involved in the assault.
The Crown accepted not guilty pleas to a second charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Sheriff William Wood was shown CCTV footage of the attack.
He deferred sentence until next month, telling Naheem: “Given that this was a serious assault I do need to look at all the options available to the court.
“I will have to consider custody as an option.”
