Two thugs forced their way into a 74-year-old man’s Dundee home and repeatedly punched and kicked him as he lay on the floor.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Gary Ironside, 19, and Ryan Jendrycha, 28, were strangers to victim Alexander Lees.
The terrified pensioner a former police officer lay saying “why, why, why me?” as he suffered blow after blow.
And the court heard the attack, which left Mr Lees covered in blood, with a swollen eye and a significant head injury, was a case of “mistaken identity”.
Fiscal depute Vicki Bell told the court both accused knocked on Mr Lees’ door at his home on Hindmarsh Avenue shortly after noon one day last summer.
The fiscal said after initially opening the door, Mr Lees tried to close it on them, but was overpowered.
She said: “Both accused forced their way through the front door, causing Mr Lees to stumble backwards into a bedroom where he fell on the floor.
“Jendrycha then climbed on top of Mr Lees and proceeded to punch him repeatedly on the head. Mr Lees was lying on the floor trying to protect himself.
“After a few minutes Jendrycha stopped the assault on Mr Lees and left the bedroom. At this time Ironside then began assaulting Mr Lees by kicking him repeatedly on the back and head.
“After several minutes Mr Lees became aware that both accused had left. Disorientated and dizzy, he managed to pull himself up off the floor.”
Mr Lees then went to a neighbour’s door and asked him to contact police. As they waited for officers to arrive, both accused returned to the area, and Ironside punched another man in the face.
The pair ran off towards Sandeman Street and were later traced by police.
Solicitor John Boyle said: “It appears they had entered the wrong door and there is really no explanation for it.”
Solicitor Kris Gilmartin added that it was a case of “mistaken identity”.
In the aftermath of the attack, Mr Lees no longer felt safe in his home and asked to be rehoused.
Ironside, Court Street North, and Jendrycha, Sandeman Street, admitted assaulting Mr Lees on July 27 last year.
Ironside admitted a second charge of assaulting Alan Gilmartin.
Sheriff Brown deferred sentencing until May 22 for reports and both accused were remanded meantime.
He added: “It is open to me to remit this to the High Court if at any point I decide it is appropriate.”
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