A Fife man who was stabbed in the eye with a metal pole during a vicious attack suffered a “catastrophic” injury which later claimed his sight.
Alexander Russell was repeatedly punched and struck with the weapon as he sat in a car at Memorial Court in Methil on October 27 last year.
Attacker Dylan Stewart appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday where he admitted leaving his victim permanently disfigured and impaired, while acting with another.
The 23-year-old and other witnesses claimed Mr Russell was intoxicated at the time.
They claimed he was seen “rummaging” around the passenger seat with his left hand before producing a hammer.
Stewart and another man, who was not named, approached the vehicle and assaulted Russell by punching him on the head and striking him with the pole.
Despite being unable to see and bleeding heavily from his right eye after the attack, the victim drove away from the scene before crashing into a building at the Bawbee Filling Station.
He then entered the shop before collapsing. Witnesses called the emergency services.
Mr Russell was taken to the Victoria Hospital where he underwent surgery on his eye but was left blinded as a result of the assault.
The court was told how officers traced Stewart after viewing CCTV footage of the incident and found him wearing the same clothes.
He initially gave a no comment interview to investigators but later added: “When I approached the car he produced a hammer. Under his seat before I got to the car.
“Walked around the passenger door, pulled it out a t-shirt with a hammer under the passenger seat.”
He also said that he had struck Mr Russell with the pole because he “felt a bit scared” and he did not see any injuries on his victim at the time.
The thug also claimed he was carrying the weapon because he felt “a bit anxious” but refused to tell officers what the pole looked like or where it was left.
Defence solicitor Dewar Spence told how his client was a first offender who had no other outstanding matters.
He added: “Russell was there in a particular state and had driven to the locus. The end result is not something which had been intended by Mr Stewart.”
Sheriff James Williamson said: “I’ll continue matters for a criminal justice social work report.
“This is an extremely serious matter and you shouldn’t rule out going into custody.”
Stewart, of Casan in Leven, will appear for sentencing on April 24 and was released on bail.
