An elderly man has been left with scars after his neighbour battered him with a spade.
Jim Stevenson confronted the 72-year-old as the pensioner was putting his bin out for collection late at night.
The victim had 10 staples put in a head cut and seven stitches in a deep wound to his thigh.
Stevenson, 58, admitted assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court today.
It happened outside his home in Lloyd Street, Motherwell, on April 19 last year.
Jennifer Cunningham, prosecuting, said the neighbours had been friends but prior to the attack hadn't spoken to each other for more than a year due to "an ongoing dispute".
The victim was putting his bin out when he noticed Stevenson banging on the window.
He ignored this but his neighbour came out and demanded a "square go".
Ms Cunningham told the court: "The accused punched [the pensioner] who retaliated by punching him.
"They began to fight and were rolling about on the grass.
"The accused stood up, picked up a spade and went back towards [his victim] who was still lying on the grass.
"He struck him repeatedly on the head and body with the spade. Both men were covered in blood."
The elderly man managed to grab one end of the spade and shouted 'That's it'. Stevenson then stopped the attack.
Defence agent Bobby Reid said his client suffered cuts to his eye and lip during the "altercation", but accepted these were minor injuries.
The solicitor said Stevenson has mental health issues.
He added that there has been no trouble between the men since the incident.
Sheriff John Speir deferred sentence until January for background reports and allowed Stevenson to remain on bail.
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