“He’s going to kill me!”: terrified man battered with his own walking stick
A terrified man was battered with his own walking stick during a frenzied street attack in Fife.
James Baxter has been warned he is facing a jail term after he “lost the plot” and carried out a sustained assault in Cowdenbeath.
Baxter (36), of Keir Hardie Street, Methil, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
He admitted that on 25th August in Broad Street, he assaulted Richard Sinclair by head-butting him, seizing him by the clothing, pulling him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him on the head and body.
He then seized him by the neck, repeatedly stamped on his body, repeatedly struck him on the head and body with a walking stick, made threats of violence and lunged towards him, all to his severe injury.
On the same day, he assaulted a police constable by spitting at him.
He also admitted he breached a bail condition not to enter Cowdenbeath on the same day the order was imposed, 4th September.
Depute fiscal Claire Bremner said the victim had parked his car when Baxter took hold of him and dragged him away from the vehicle.
He then kicked him to the head and body with Mr Sinclair swinging his walking stick trying to defend himself.
Baxter then stamped on the man before taking his walking stick and began hitting him with it.
Baxter had Mr Sinclair pinned to the ground with his hands around his throat.
The depute went on, “A witness described the incident as ‘horrible’ and because of the ferocity of the assault she was in fear for the victim’s life.”
Local people intervened but Baxter continued to try to prolong the assault using the stick.
Police arrived at 9.20pm and found the victim “dazed, covered in blood and holding his ribs”.
Baxter then returned to the scene and ran towards the victim who shouted, “F*** he’s going to kill me” and cowered behind the officers.
After spitting at an officer, Baxter had a spit-hood put on him.
The victim was taken to the Victoria Hospital where he was found to have a fractured arm, bruising, cuts and swelling.
Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said his client was “horrified at what’s taken place”.
He said the background was his client’s mother was terminally ill at the time and he was unhappy about actions of Mr Sinclair and their impact on his mum.
“On this occasion he saw red, the red mist descended and he lost the plot,” added Mr Flett.
Sheriff Charles MacNair called for reports and sentencing will take place on 19th July. He continued bail but warned Baxter to expect a jail term.
