A violent thug has admitted stealing another man’s walking stick and using it as a weapon during a vicious assault in Aberdeen.
Steven Ross and another male set about their victim as he left his flat in Hutcheon Court with a friend to walk her dog.
The pair initially asked for cigarettes, but when the man said he did not have any, Ross, 48, turned violent and hit him in the face.
He then grabbed his walking stick, which he uses due to mobility issues, and began savagely beating him with it, hitting him on the head and body.
‘Kicked him three times to the head’
Fiscal depute David Ballock told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around midnight on February 16.
He said: “As they exited the main communal door of the block of flats, the accused Steven Ross and another male continuously asked them for cigarettes and a lighter.
“They advised them that they did not have any.
“The complainer was struck on the right side of his face by Ross who also took possession of his walking stick, and the other male forced him to the ground by grappling with him and performing a leg sweep.
‘Oh, you’ve a few more coins in there’
“Ross struck the complainer on the head and body with the walking stick several times and kicked him three times to the head.”
He continued to kick and strike the man before grabbing a chain from around his neck and ripping it off him.
He also removed the man’s wallet and house keys from his pocket before leaving, taking his haul, including the walking stick, with him.
The stolen chain was valued around £120.
Ross’ victim was left with injuries to his face and body as a result of the attack but declined medical treatment.
Ross, of HMP Inverness, pled guilty to assault to injury and robbery.
He also admitted, along with a co-accused, a similar charge over a separate incident on February 15 on Union Street.
Ross and Daniel Bertram, of HMP Grampian, admitted assaulting and robbing a kindly stranger who agreed to give them spare change.
Bertram’s charge also included causing injury to the man.
Mr Ballock told the court the complainer in that incident had been on a night out in Aberdeen when he was approached Ross and Bertram, 36, outside McDonald’s on Union Street around 11.30pm.
Pair returned wallet without cash
The pair asked their target if he had any spare change and, feeling charitable, the man took out his wallet and produced a couple of pound coins.
However, as he did this, Ross was heard to say: “Oh, you’ve a few more coins in there.”
He tried to grab the wallet from the man.
A brief struggle took place, with Ross demanding “let me see it” and “let me hold it”.
Bertram then removed the man’s hat and punched him in the head.
Eventually, the man let go of his wallet and Ross and Bertram walked away.
Their victim began to follow the thieves and asked if he could at least have his wallet back.
Ross then returned his wallet, minus the £100 or so that had been inside.
The incident was later reported to police and the two accused were traced and arrested.
The man suffered minor superficial injuries as a result of Bertram’s punch.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan deferred sentence on both men for background reports while their solicitors reserved mitigation until the next hearing.
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