A Dundee driver ran over a man in his car after taking offence to an online video, only to discover his victim was an innocent bystander.
Aaron Bell, 32, admitted three charges of assault when he appeared by videolink at Dundee Sheriff Court.
As well as the victim of mistaken identity, he also assaulted a security guard and a police officer.
The court was told Bell had driven from Glasgow to Dundee in the early hours of December 27, having apparently become enraged at a video he had been sent suggesting ill-treatment of his family.
He drove his car into his victim and with two others, launched a vicious attack, leaving the man needing his ear glued.
Before Bell launched his attack in Dundee, he had already nudged a security guard in Glasgow out of the way with his car as he rushed to get back to Tayside.
Three-man assault
Depute fiscal Lynne Mannion told the court: “At around 4.45am the complainer Ciaran Russell was walking home and turned into Finavon Terrace.
“He passed a dark-coloured vehicle in which the accused was sitting in the driver seat.
“Mr Russell began to run home.
“He turned round to find the car was driving towards him.
“The car pulled into the path of Mr Russell.
“It collided with him, causing him to fall to the ground.
“The accused exited the vehicle.
“He and two others and began to assault Mr Russell.
“The accused repeatedly punched him to the head.
“Mr Russell was highly distressed.
“He suffered abrasions to his body and bruising.
“His right ear needed to be glued.”
‘Out of character’
Defence solicitor Theo Finlay, told the court his client had become angry over a video.
“This behaviour is out of character.
“He has never been in custody.
“He does not know the victim/complainer.
“This was a case of mistaken identity.”
Bell had already assaulted security guard Scott Robertson on Albion Street on the same night by coming into contact with him in his car.
Mr Robertson was uninjured.
He also admitted assaulting PC Daniel Stirling as police tried to arrest him on January 25 this year.
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown adjourned the case for reports until December 13, warning Bell it was “likely” he would be given a custodial sentence.
