A brutal thug who repeatedly beat and stabbed a frail 75-year-old during a terrifying home invasion has been told to expect a lengthy prison sentence.
Miguel Meyler inflicted horrific injuries on former soldier James Clunes before frog-marching him to a cash machine to try to rob him of more cash.
The 29-year-old sat emotionless in the dock as the details of the prolonged attack were read out at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The assault was described by Sheriff Philip Mann as a “horrific crime”.
Devoted Dons fan James was left bruised, bleeding from a knife wound to his leg and with a fractured cheekbone after Meyler and another man forced their way into his Aberdeen flat on June 25 last year.
The three-time cancer survivor had just returned to his home after a night at the bingo when the attack happened.
The former Scots Guards colour sergeant passed away on November 25 last year without seeing his attacker brought to justice.
Following today’s court hearing, his brother Stephen Clunes told the Press and Journal: “The beating changed James as a person.
“He lost his confidence, was nervous being on his own and was anxious about having unannounced visitors at his door.
“It took him a while to venture outside again and when he did, it was either with company or travelling by taxi – the attack took away his independence.”
Horrifying home invasion detailed in court
Fiscal depute Carol Gammie recounted the events of that evening, stating that James had “certain vulnerabilities” from having previously suffered from throat cancer where he had had a large section of his throat and jaw removed.
“He was generally a frail man. He was left shaken and severely physically injured by this incident,” Ms Gammie said.
She told the court that at around 11.20pm on June 25 last year, Mr Clunes was returning to his home on Bayview Court, Aberdeen, after socialising at the local pub.
“Owing to his health problems, Mr Clunes does not drink and was sober,” she said.
“As he approached the communal hallway, the accused and another male followed him into the building and up in the lift, getting out with him on the second floor.”
As James approached his front door, one of the men asked him for a cup of water, which he refused.
When the pensioner opened his front door, Meyler and the other man pushed their way into his flat and immediately began demanding money, while picking up a knife from James’ kitchen.
Pointing the knife at James, Meyler punched him to the face “at least six times”.
The army veteran was dropped to the ground by the blows but managed to get up and was punched again.
As Meyler began raiding the flat for money, the pensioner removed £40 from his pocket and told Meyler that was all he had.
“He handed the cash to the accused before sitting down on the sofa,” Ms Gammie said.
“The accused stood over Mr Clunes at the sofa and held the knife to the front of his chest area, still demanding money from him.
“The other male then took a quantity of cigarettes from the flat and left.
“At this, the accused stabbed Mr Clunes once in the left thigh, just above the knee, which immediately started to bleed.
“The accused started shouting at Mr Clunes, again demanding money.”
Frog-marched to bank machine
Meyler then picked up the pensioner’s wallet from the ground, took out his bank cards and demanded they go to a nearby cash machine to withdraw money.
As the two men left the flat, Meyler warned James “not to try anything” as he walked him to St Machar roundabout on King Street.
However, when they got to the cash machine it wasn’t working, which angered Meyler.
As the pair walked to another cash machine, a member of the public spotted Meyler pushing James along the street and approached to ask if the pensioner was okay.
Meyler replied saying that he was fine, however, the man through James “looked terrified and appeared to be hyperventilating” so he enquired again.
Member of public came to the rescue
As Meyler shouted that he was fine, the man then put himself in between the pensioner and Meyler and two passing women also ran over to help.
At this point, James immediately began to shout for help as members of the public flagged down a police car.
“As two police constables alighted from their vehicle they could hear Mr Clunes shouting for help – he was out of breath and emotional,” Ms Gammie said.
“The officers could see he had blood stains on his trousers and had visible bruising around his eyes and nose.”
James pointed out Meyler to the police and they arrested him upon finding the pensioner’s wallet in his trouser pocket.
Police later viewed CCTV from James’ building that showed them entering the tower block and later leaving as they went to the ATM.
The knife was recovered and was found to have Meyler’s DNA on the handle and James’ blood on the blade.
The pensioner was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with suspected a broken nose alongside a 2cm wound to his left leg.
Guilty plea
Today, Meyler pleaded guilty to one charge of forcing entry to James’ flat before abducting him, assaulting him, striking him with a knife and robbing him of money.
Defence agent David Sutherland stated that Meyler was aware there was “no other appropriate disposal other than a custodial sentence” for his offence and called for background reports to be carried out on his client.
During today’s hearing, Sheriff Mann told Meyler: “I think you can take it that there’s only going to be one disposal in this case.
“It is a horrific crime and I think you can be sure that the sheriff dealing with it will take a severe view of it.
“You will be remanded in custody.”
The sheriff deferred sentence on Meyler, of Balnagask Crescent, Aberdeen, until next month in order for a criminal justice social work report to be carried out.
It is understood charges against the second man have been dropped.
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