David was a pal..so how could he do this to me?

A MAN who was left with horrific facial injuries after his friend of 14 years savagely turned on him on New Year's Day today spoke of his struggle to overcome his ordeal.

• Paul Watson, who still suffers pain and memory loss after the brutal beating at the hand of David Hill

Paul Watson was left with a cracked eye socket and a "jaw like a smashed dinner plate" after David Hill carried out a savage, prolonged attack on the 48-year-old former hotel supervisor just yards from his home in Oxgangs Farm Gardens.

Mr Watson has been left with permanent injuries, physical pain and memory loss. He has to attend hospital regularly.

The pair had been friends since 1997 and Mr Watson helped the 32-year-old to secure a job at the King James Thistle some years ago.

Yesterday, Hill, who lives several doors from Mr Watson, was jailed for 28 months for assaulting him to his severe injury in what Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard was a "savage and prolonged attack on an unconscious man".

His sentence follows an unprovoked attack on a homeless man in the Cowgate in July 2009, for which he received just 200 hours community service.

Today Mr Watson told the Evening News that he was "baffled" his friend had turned on him so savagely.

He said: "I still just cannot understand what has had happened. It was 3.20am on New Year's Day after the bells and I called in as I passed his house on the way home to see if he was in and wish him Happy New Year. I turned away when I saw the light was off, but then David came out. I said 'David, Happy New year'. He said, 'maybe for you, not for me' and walloped me in the face.

"He said 'I hate your guts'. As he said 'guts' his boot ploughed into my jaw. The pain was excruciating. I passed out after that."

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Hill went on to kick him on the head "with such force that Mr Watson's body moved". Fiscal depute Ian Wallace, prosecuting, said Hill then walked into his home, leaving his victim unconscious.

Witnesses contacted the emergency services but in the meantime, said the fiscal, Hill came out of his house, dragged Mr Watson into the middle of the road, and began kicking him repeatedly on the head and body before returning home.

Mr Watson was unable to give a statement to the police as he was unable to speak. Hill's defence solicitor said there had been problems between the two men in the past.

Mr Watson said: "I've known him since 1997 and we worked together, but I just can't understand what happened. Every time someone walks past the window I worry it's him.

"I feel sorry for his grandmother, who he looks after. I still don't think he's a bad lad because he's looked after them, like I did with my parents. I think of him as the old David, my friend, and not the guy who has done this."