A thug left a friend brain damaged after attacking him in Dundee city centre after they had been out watching a Scotland football match.
David Gibson had been freed on bail just a day before he turned on Derrick Smith and tried to kill him.
The 34 year-old left his victim for dead before confessing to a stranger in the street he had been in an “argument”.
A judge heard how Mr Smith, 46, was so badly hurt, he could only initially be identified from a tattoo he had.
He is now cared for in a nursing home.
Police identified Gibson by his lack of front teeth.
He admitted attempted murder when he appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.
He will sentenced in June.
Victim found next morning
Prosecutor Ali Murray said Gibson had been subject to three separate bail orders at the time.
The last was when he was freed by a sheriff last May 31 having been charged with assault.
The next day, Gibson, Mr Smith and a female friend went to a bar in Dundee to watch the Scotland versus Ukraine World Cup play-off match on TV.
They were described as in “good spirits”.
After the football, the woman left the pair, who walked at the rear of St Paul’s church and Mecca Bingo in the Nethergate.
Mr Murray said Mr Smith was unable to recall what then happened but Gibson admitted in court he struck his friend, before repeatedly stamping on his head and body.
The next morning, a passer-by found Mr Smith still lying behind the church.
Mr Murray said: “When she approached him, he was only grunting.
“His mouth was covered in blood and his nose bleeding.
“His face was swollen, his eyes bruised and swollen shut.”
Permanent brain damage suffered
Mr Smith was rushed to Ninewells Hospital.
Medics told police his condition – including fractures and a serious brain injury – were life threatening.
Mr Murray said: “Due to the extent of his facial injuries, officers could only identify him from a tattoo on his left shoulder.”
Mr Smith was discharged from intensive care two weeks later and transferred to a specialist brain unit.
The court heard he can no longer live independently and is cared for in a nursing home in Fife.
Mr Murray said: “There may be some improvement but he will not make a full recovery.”
Toothless attacker identified
The court heard Gibson approached a woman after the attack, stating he and a “friend” had “argued” having earlier been out watching the football.
Gibson claimed he had been “threatened” during the row.
The thug said he had left the man at the back of the church and when he returned two hours later, he was still not awake.
Police later found Gibson in the Nethergate and he was identified as the man who approached the stranger due to him having no front teeth.
Lady Stacey said she is considering an extended sentence due to Gibson’s criminal past.
Sentencing was deferred for reports.
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