Edinburgh thug stamped on attack victim's head ten times

Nadeem Ahmed, 25, launched the savage attack on Gary Stevens when two groups of revellers clashed at the capital’s George Street last March

Ahmed was in a group of Asian and West Indian friends when claims he overheard Stevens make a racially disparaging remark to a woman he was with.

A struggle then ensued between Ahmed and Mr Stevens before another male struck the victim to the face causing him to fall to the ground.

Ahmed, of the city’s Poplar Lane, then ran over to Mr Stevens as he lay on the pavement and was seen to stamp on his head ten times.

The horrific attack was caught on CCTV and Ahmed was soon arrested near to the scene by police officers who were on mobile patrol.

Ahmed pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Stevens when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Fiscal Karima Stewart told the court Ahmed and Mr Stevens became involved in “a heated argument” at George Street in Edinburgh at around 4.20am on March 31 last year.

Ms Stewart said: “The accused threw a punch at Stevens who then stumbled. An unidentified male then punched Stevens which made him fall to the ground.

“The accused ran over to the complainer and proceeded to stamp on his head a total of ten times.”

Jim Stephenson, defending solicitor, said his client had been attempting to “separate parties” and it had been Mr Stevens who had thrown the first punch.

The lawyer said the fight was sparked by Mr Stevens making “an oblique reference to [the woman’s] race” and that Ahmed had “lost it” after overhearing the comment.

Mr Stephenson added the victim did not cooperate with police and refused to give a statement about the incident.

Sheriff Adrian Fraser QC deferred sentence for the preparation of reports to next month.

Ahmed pleaded guilty to assaulting Gary Stevens by punching him to the body and repeatedly stamping on his head at George Street, Edinburgh, on March 31 last year.

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