A man who barged his way into a “frail, elderly” man’s home and subjected him to a violent attack that left him with broken ribs and a collapsed lung was yesterday facing jail.
Alan Waterston turned up at Ian Beat’s door in Whitfield Rise, Dundee, thinking he was at a friend’s home nearby.
When Mr Beat answered Waterston’s banging, the thug forced himself inside and a struggle ensued.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told Waterston’s attack had had a “devastating effect” on the 69-year-old’s life.
Depute fiscal Vicki Bell said Mr Beat managed to escape from the house into the garden, with Waterston left locked in until police arrived.
She said: “The complainer was found bleeding and struggling to breathe.
“The accused was still within the property, extremely agitated and shouting. Police set up a cordon and two officers stood at the front and back doors.
“The accused, who was under the influence, eventually opened a window and was pulled out.
“An ambulance was called and the complainer was taken to hospital having suffered a number of injuries.
“That included a punctured and collapsed lung and two fractured ribs.
“A chest drain was inserted to remove fluid from the lung and he was in hospital for several days, during which time he contracted pneumonia.
“It is fair to say this has had a devastating impact on his life.
“He still experiences physical pain and psychological impacts.”
Waterston, 27, of Ballindean Road, Dundee, pled guilty on indictment to assaulting Ian Beat at an address in Whitfield Rise, Dundee, on February 26 last year.
Defence solicitor Jim Caird said: “I express on his behalf that he is extremely remorseful about this matter.
“He had been drinking, his personal problems had got on top of him and this was a bizarre, inexplicable attendance at this house thinking it was his friend’s door, which is a similar house in the vicinity.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael deferred sentence until February 13 for social work background reports and released Waterston on bail meantime.
