A Kilmarnock man who received a compensation payout was horrifically beaten in his own home by a thug who went on to steal his bank cards.
The victim was left with a bleed on the brain after being subjected to an ordeal lasting hours at the violent hands of Graham Garforth.
A judge heard how the victim was said to be known for his "perceived wealth" in his hometown of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire.
Garforth left the stricken 35 year-old locked in his home - before using a stolen bank card to buy food at a nearby Greggs bakers shortly after the attack.
The 30-year-old is now behind bars after he today pled guilty to assaulting and robbing the man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.
The roofer will be sentenced next month.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how the victim - who was left impaired down his left side as a result of an incident as a child - had later received a compensation payment.
The exact sum was not revealed at the hearing.
But, prosecutor Michelle Brannagan said: "People in the local area are said to be aware of this and his perceived wealth."
The man had been out in Kilmarnock on February 22 last year before ending up in the company of Garforth and two women at a bar.
He did not know Garforth before that night.
The court heard the victim went on to spend "a fair bit on money" buying drinks for the group.
The man, Garforth and one of the women then ended up back at his house.
Garforth, also of Kilmarnock, ended up suddenly becoming aggressive and making comments towards his victim.
The man believes he may have been hit after reacting to what Garforth said.
His recollection of his ordeal was described as "fragmented" but "vivid" at points.
The victim recalled cowering on the floor, already bleeding as Garforth punched him.
Miss Brannagan : "At a later stage, [the victim] was lying in a doorway with Garforth repeatedly slamming the door against his head.
"He put his foot against his throat and applied pressure to it."
The man tried to crawl away, but was grabbed and choked until he lost consciousness.
Miss Brannagan: "He next recalls his pet cat coming into the house, he was crying and telling the cat he was okay.
"Garforth appears to have overheard and returned to the hallway where he resumed the beating."
Garforth demanded to know where any valuables were and went into a further rage when told there were none.
The court heard the terrified victim was subjected to a "continuous beating within various rooms of the house".
This also included a mirror being smashed over his head, a Stanley knife brandished at him and again strangled.
Garforth went on to ask for PIN codes for bank cards threatening: "Do not lie or you will die."
He also asked for keys to an Audi car outside unaware it instead belonged to a neighbour of the victim.
Garforth eventually stopped the attack and left taking the man's wallet, phone as well as a bottle of whisky.
In the meantime, the victim waited before going out a back door to alert a neighbour.
The court heard he suffered a bleed on the brain, a suspected fractured cheekbone, heavy bruising and swelling, but was luckily later able to leave hospital.
It emerged Garforth went on to use one of the victim's bank cards initially unsuccessful in trying to withdraw cash.
However, he was able to make a contactless payment for cigarettes at a petrol station in Kilmarnock.
Around an hour later, he was clocked on CCTV at a Greggs branch at the Rivergate Shopping Centre in Irvine, Ayrshire.
Miss Brannagan said he was seen "purchasing food before sitting in to eat".
Garforth was eventually arrested days later.
Iain Paterson, defending, today said Garforth claimed the attack was not "pre-planned" and had only met the man for the first time that night.
Lord Matthews remanded Garforth in custody and deferred sentencing for reports.
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