An Angus pensioner was left blinded after he was viciously attacked with his own walking stick in his home, a court heard on Thursday.
Graham Orrock's violent attack on 66-year-old Arthur Esson left him with two burst eyes and a catalogue of horrific injuries.
Advocate depute Morag Jack, prosecuting, told the High Court in Edinburgh Mr Esson had been drinking with pals when Orrock, who was not welcome arrived and was asked to leave.
Orrock, 23, went to his house and returned to Mr Esson's home with a knife and asked him for £7 which he said was due him. Mr Esson replied that he didn't owe him any money and Orrock then launched into a violent attack.
Ms Jack said: "The accused knocked Mr Esson off the couch to the floor, and repeatedly kicked him on the face and head. Mr Esson was unable to defend himself.
"The accused then repeatedly struck Mr Esson about the head with his own walking stick, which he kept with him at all times in order to help him move around the house."
The court heard as a result of the attack Mr Esson was left with 15 cuts to his scalp, cuts to his right cheek, bridge of his nose and his lips.
He was also left with two ruptured eye globes, fractures to his nose, cheek and right eye which required major reconstructive surgery as well as puncture wounds to his head and face.
Doctors said Mr Esson's injuries were consistent with a sustained and determined assault using a blunt instrument and that the puncture wounds were likely to have been caused by a splintered walking stick.
The court heard Mr Esson is now registered blind as a result of the attack - a situation he describes as a "disaster" and it is not possible for him to return to his home.
Orrock, of Croft Terrace, Kirriemuir, Angus, admitted the attack on Mr Esson on July 27 this year at 61 Clova Road, Kirriemuir.
When interviewed by police Orrock said he had been drunk, gone round to Mr Esson's house and that the pensioner had whacked him with the stick like he always did.
Orrock then said: "I took the stick off him and just kept on hitting him I just couldnae stop and I feel that bad for it cause he's an old man."
Judge Michael O'Grady QC deferred sentence on Orrock until next month at the High Court in Glasgow for background reports. He remains in custody till then.
