Unprovoked attack by youth broke bones in victim's face

A TEENAGER left his victim with fractured facial bones after a "totally unprovoked" assault in Edinburgh, a court heard.

Liam Griffiths, 19, punched Blain Murphy as he chatted to a woman in the street and the blow caused him to fall to the ground.

Mr Murphy was taken to hospital and later had to have an operation leaving him with a metal plate and four screws inserted in his face.

Fiscal depute John Kirk told Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday : "For absolutely no reason the defendant came up to the complainer and punched him once to the right side of his face.

"The complainer fell to the ground and the defendant walked away after committing this totally unprovoked assault."

The court heard Mr Murphy is expected to make a full recovery but the process would take some time.

Griffiths, from Christian Grove, Edinburgh, admitted punching Mr Murphy to the head, causing him to fall to the ground to his severe injury. He also admitted breaching his bail conditions.

Sheriff Michael O'Grady deferred sentence until next month for background reports when further pleas in mitigation will be heard.