A MAN was battered with his own walking stick during a ferocious street attack in Cowdenbeath.

James Baxter has been warned he is facing a jail term after he “lost the plot” and carried out a sustained assault.

Baxter, 36, of Keir Hardie St, Methil, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on August 25 last year in Broad Street, he assaulted a man by headbutting him, seizing him by the clothing, pulling him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him on the head and body.

He then seized him by the neck, repeatedly stamped on his body, repeatedly struck him on the head and body with a walking stick, made threats of violence and lunged towards him, all to his severe injury.

On the same day, he assaulted a police constable by spitting at him.

He also admitted he breached a bail condition not to enter Cowdenbeath on the same day the order was imposed, September 4.

Depute fiscal Claire Bremner said the victim had parked his car when Baxter took hold of him and dragged him away from the vehicle.

He then kicked him to the head and body with the victim swinging his walking stick trying to defend himself.

Baxter then stamped on the man before taking his walking stick and began hitting him with it.

He had the victim pinned to the ground with his hands around his throat.

The depute went on: “A witness described the incident as ‘horrible’ and because of the ferocity of the assault she was in fear for the victim’s life.”

Members of the public intervened but Baxter continued to try to prolong the assault using the stick.

Police arrived at 9.20pm and found the victim “dazed, covered in blood and holding his ribs”.

Baxter then returned to the scene and ran towards the victim who shouted “F*** he’s going to kill me” and cowered behind the officers.

After spitting at an officer, Baxter had a spit-hood put on him.

The victim was taken to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy where he was found to have a fractured arm, bruising, cuts and swelling.

Defence solicitor, Alexander Flett, said his client was “horrified at what’s taken place”.

He said the background was his client’s mother was terminally ill at the time and he was unhappy about the actions of the man and the impact it was having on his mum.

“On this occasion he saw red, the red mist descended and he lost the plot,” added Mr Flett.

Sheriff Charles MacNair called for reports and sentencing will take place on July 19. He continued bail but warned Baxter to expect a jail term.