Jealous husband beat ex-neighbour for talking to his wife

Fiscal depute John Kirk told Edinburgh Sheriff Court that at around 2.30am on 15 August, 2009, Mr Lister got out of a taxi and engaged briefly in conversation with the group as he had previously been a neighbour.

But the court heard Mills got annoyed with Mr Lister and felt he was trying to chat up his wife, which was unfounded.

Mr Kirk said: "Mr Lister walked on but heard someone running behind him and turned to see Mills had chased after him.

"Mr Lister was then repeatedly punched about the head and body. He fell to the ground and Mills kept on punching him.

"The shouts from Mr Lister woke nearby residents."

Mr Kirk said a member of the group had then intervened and the assault was stopped.

The victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and treated for cuts, bruising and swelling to his head and face and had a dislocated right shoulder.

He also had multiple fractures to one of the bones in his arm which required surgical intervention and a metal plate to be placed on to the bone.

The fiscal depute added the healing process would take some time and that Mr Lister still suffered pain and the injury had affected his work.

Mills admitted carrying out the attack on Mr Lister at South Gyle Wynd, Edinburgh.

Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie QC told Mills it was a "very serious incident" as it had been an unprovoked attack.

She deferred sentence on Mills, of 115 South Gyle Mains, Edinburgh, until next month for the preparation of background reports.

He is on bail in the meantime.