A man who launched a bottle attack after a Facebook feud boiled over has been remanded in custody.
Daniel Finnigan was told by a sheriff that he “could end up dead” as he blasted a culture of violence among young men in Dundee.
The sheriff court heard that Finnigan had clashed with Kevin McHugh in a pub in Menzhieshill last year. That escalated into Facebook challenges being issued by Mr McHugh.
Finnigan initially ignored them but he lost his cool when he spotted Mr McHugh walking across the playing fields of Menzieshill High on November 12 last year.
He ran at Mr McHugh, hitting him over the head with a bottle, before he and a gang of others launched a savage beating, repeatedly kicking their victim on the head.
A boy who witnessed the attack described seeing Mr McHugh “screaming in pain” as he was carried from the scene. Depute fiscal Trina Sinclair told the court: “After the assault Mr McHugh couldn’t stand unaided and his friend carried him home.
“He couldn’t get up the stairs, so was propped up in the close until the ambulance arrived. He was taken to Ninewells Hospital and was examined. He had facial injuries and a broken leg. He had to undergo surgery on his leg the next day.”
Finnigan, 20, of Fyffe Street, was initially charged with attempted murder but he pled guilty on indictment to a charge of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Solicitor Anika Jethwa said: “Mr Finnigan had initially ignored the Facebook challenges posted by Mr McHugh but his temper got the better of him when they had this chance meeting.”
Sheriff George Way deferred sentence until November 20 for background reports and remanded Finnigan in custody “for the protection of the public”.
He said: “Kicking someone on the head is a lottery it can result in death. The court can’t tolerate this suggestion that vigilante, macho self-help like this can be allowed in a civilised society.
“Violence tends to escalate and will get out of hand. These young men are prepared to use violence in this way and that will end up with someone being killed and Mr Finnigan, you could be the next victim.”