Two thugs who forced their way into a 74-year-old man’s home and subjected him to a sustained and brutal attack are facing lengthy jail terms.
Gary Ironside and Ryan Jendrycha barged into Alexander Lees’ home in Hindmarsh Avenue, Dundee, at midday on a Sunday following a long drinking session the previous night.
In a completely unprovoked attack on the OAP who neither knew Jendrycha knocked Mr Lees, a former police officer, to the floor and climbed on top of him before repeatedly punching him on the head for several minutes.
The terrified pensioner lay saying “why, why, why me?” as the part-time bouncer delivered blow after blow.
He then got up, prompting Ironside to step in and continue the attack, repeatedly kicking Mr Lees and leaving him with a “significant” head injury.
The pair then left and Ironside then randomly attacked a pedestrian outside for no reason.
Lawyers for the pair said they had “gone to the wrong door” and had actually been seeking out Jendrycha’s ex-partner who lives on the same street.
A sheriff warned them they could face more than five years each in jail and that he may send the case to the High Court for sentencing as the maximum jail term he can impose “may not be sufficient”.
Depute fiscal Vicky Bell told Dundee Sheriff Court: “Neither accused spoke during the incident.
“After several minutes Mr Lees became aware that they had left.
“Disorientated and dazed, he pulled himself off the floor and made his way to the living room.
“He then went to a neighbour’s door who found Mr Lees covered in blood and one of his eyes was swollen and closed.
“Shortly after the two accused were seen walking back towards the locus.
“A witness asked ‘have you just assaulted my neighbour’ before they ran off.
“Mr Lees was taken to hospital and treated for extensive soft tissue injuries to his face, severe bruising, an abrasion across his forehead, heavy bruising and swelling to both eyes and nose and swelling and lacerations to his left ear, cheek and lower lip.
“As a result of this attack he no longer felt safe in his own home and asked to be rehoused.
“He has fully recovered physically but remains confused and upset about why this happened.”
Ironside, 19, of Court Street North, Dundee, and Jendrycha, 28, of Sandeman Street, Dundee, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of assaulting Mr Lees to his severe injury.
Ironside further admitted a charge of assaulting Alan Gilmartin to his injury.
The attacks took place on July 27 last year.
Sheriff Alistair Brown deferred sentence for reports and remanded the pair in custody meantime.