A homeless woman who raised more than £1,500 for charity was punched in the face when she would not hand over money to a drunken attacker, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
Pauline Smith, a newspaper vendor on Lochee High Street, recently celebrated her 54th birthday by raising money for charity by having her head shaved.
However, she was left with a bloodied lip after she was assaulted on Monday.
The court heard that William Hawkins, 27, of Polepark Road, had approached the kiosk at 4.30pm to ask for money but Ms Smith refused.
Shop worker Doug McLaren came to her aid, offering Hawkins 30p to make him leave, but he returned and punched Ms Smith in the face, bursting her lip.
Afterwards, she told the Courier: “I never saw it coming. I just wanted him to go away because he was right in my face.
“I’m a bit scared in case he comes back. I have been attacked before by drunks but this has never happened in Lochee.”
News of the attack shocked residents and Ms Smith said customers had been asking if she was all right.
Hawkins admitted the assault in court, as well as a separate charge of possessing a broken bottle neck in the city centre the following day.
Depute fiscal Laura Bruce told the court Hawkins had been seen under the influence of alcohol outside Lloyds bar on Seagate at Tuesday lunchtime, clutching a broken bottle neck as a weapon.
Mrs Bruce said: “He was seen holding the neck of the bottle with the smashed end facing outwards. He hid back behind a utility box as if waiting for someone, still with the bottle.”
Independent witnesses called 999 to alert the police and when officers turned up the court heard Hawkins attempted to conceal the bottle.
Hawkins’ defence solicitor, Gary McIlravey, said his client had issues with alcohol and had been in contact with a support service.
Deferring sentence for reports, Sheriff Michael Wood told Hawkins: “This behaviour cannot carry on. We have to see what is the best way to prevent this happening again.
“This doesn’t mean you won’t be punished for what you have done but you will be punished after we have a social work report.”
Hawkins was granted bail on a curfew from 7pm to 7am and on the condition he does not enter Lochee High Street.
He will appear for sentencing on June 11.