An angry Lanarkshire driver used a hammer to batter a passer-by who’d stopped to check his hair in the car’s window.
Robert Smith claimed he thought that the victim was looking to see if there was anything to steal in the vehicle.
The bizarre tale unfolded at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
Smith, 57, of St Vincent Place, Motherwell, admitted assaulting the man to his injury and the danger of his life.
The attack happened in St Vincent Place around lunchtime on October 9, 2021.
Rebecca Clark, prosecuting, said the victim was walking to meet his parents who were waiting in their car.
She told the court: “He stopped near a parked vehicle and tried to use the reflection from its windows to fix his hair.
“The accused was in the vehicle and perceived that the man was trying to get in to steal something.
“Smith got out, in possession of a hammer, and accused the other man of this. He then struck him repeatedly on the head with the hammer.
“A struggle ensued and it’s accepted that Smith was also hit on the head with the hammer.
“He was wrestled to the ground by the man who had sustained a cut to his head but didn’t require medical treatment.”
Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentence until June for background reports and an electronic tagging assessment.
Smith had his bail continued.
* Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
