A Dundee man has admitted torturing a former DIY shop worker by beating him with a hammer and baseball bat before pouring boiling water over his head.
Nigel Poustie, 49, was found seriously injured in Charleston Drive on July 4 after escaping from Mark Anderson’s flat and died the next day in hospital.
Anderson was later arrested by police but claimed his victim, who he had held hostage in his flat for several hours, must have been struck by a car before he collapsed in the street.
Anderson originally faced a murder charge for Poustie’s death but prosecutors accepted his plea to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.
Mr Poustie had previously worked for B&Q and had experienced personal problems following the death of his mother.
He and Anderson were friends until a falling out prompted Anderson to tell another friend “I will torture him”.
The High Court in Glasgow was told on Wednesday that Anderson met Poustie on July 3 and they then went to his flat.
Anderson then tortured Poustie overnight. He tied him to a chair and repeatedly punched him before asking a woman in the flat to fetch a hammer and baseball bat.
Poustie was then struck across the legs with the two weapons.
Prosecutor Adrian Cottam said Poustie was screaming in pain and begged for mercy but Anderson said his former friend had betrayed him.
Anderson then covered Poustie’s head with a pillowcase and asked the woman to boil water.
He then filled a cup with boiling water and poured it over Poustie.
At some point the next day, Poustie got out of Anderson’s flat and was seen “injured and disorientated.”
Poustie visited a friend but then collapsed in the street minutes later.
He was taken to hospital where he suffered a heart attack. He never recovered.
He had suffered extensive bruising and scalding at the hands of Anderson but it emerged existing health issues had played a part in his death.
Anderson’s QC Mark Stewart said the killer “deeply regrets” what occurred.
Judge Lord Boyd deferred sentencing until January 18 in Edinburgh.
