A thug who battered a 92-year-old woman with a wooden pole and viciously assaulted another woman is facing a lengthy jail term.
Stephen Dyer launched the brutal attacks during an incident in the gardens of two properties in Union Street, Brechin, on May 8.
He first attacked Lauren Robertson – grabbing her by the neck, repeatedly striking her on the head and body with a piece of wood then repeatedly punching her on the head and body.
Prosecutors say she then fell to the ground to her injury.
Dyer then went to the garden of a nearby property – where he launched an even more shocking attack.
He attempted to hit another individual with a wooden pole – but instead struck 92-year-old Helen Dinnie on the body, again to her injury.
Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson submitted a list of Dyer’s previous convictions at Forfar Sheriff Court and said a full narrative of events surrounding the attacks would be given at a later hearing.
Dyer, 38, a prisoner at HMP Perth, pleaded guilty on indictment to two charges of assault to injury committed on May 8 this year at an address in Union Street, Brechin, Angus.
His not guilty pleas to a further charge of assault and two of possessing an offensive weapon on the same date and at the same place were accepted by the Crown.
Defence solicitor Michael Boyd said: “He accepts a custodial sentence is inevitable.
“There was a transfer of intent involved in the assault on Ms Dinnie.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray deferred sentence until later this month for social work background reports.
He said: “You are facing a significant custodial sentence.
“The age of the victim is an aggravation.”
Dyer was remanded in custody meantime.
