Man went home to sleep after life-threatening attack on victim whose van he stole

A man responsible for a life-threatening attack on the motorist whose van he stole went home to sleep after leaving his victim in a pool of blood.

Lee Mullen, 31, was seen jumping on his victim’s head with both feet during a horrific street attack in Davie Park, Rattray on June 19, 2023.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Friday how Mullen stole the man’s Transit van earlier in the evening.

Judge John Morris KC heard the victim, a painter and decorator, managed to find the vehicle and discovered Mullen behind the wheel.

He confronted the thief, who then subjected the complainant to an attack witnessed by the shocked householders.

Witnesses told police they saw Mullen punch the man repeatedly in the head, causing him to fall to the ground.

They then saw Mullen repeatedly stamp on his stricken victim before continuing to punch and kick him as he tried to get up.

Mullen, an inmate at HMP Perth, fled the scene and returned to his girlfriend’s home, where police tracked him down.

Prosecutor Scott McKenzie told the court about the moment officers arrested the suspect in the early hours of June 19, 2023.

Mr McKenzie said: “After forcing entry he was found asleep. He was arrested around 2:40 am.

“While leading him to a police vehicle, the suspect shouted at his partner, ‘Bye, I’m f*cked.’ I’m gone for life’.”

The story emerged after Mullen pleaded guilty to attempted murder, car theft, careless driving and failing to report to authorities that he was responsible for an accident.

He also admitted that he had been driving without insurance and without a driver’s license.

Mr McKenzie told the court the evening began when the victim, a self-employed person, parked his vehicle outside the Angus Hotel in Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

He spent the evening watching Scotland beat Norway 2-1 in the Euro 2024 qualifier and enjoyed a meal.

Meanwhile, Mullen broke into the van and drove away. As he was leaving, Mullen hit the front of a Ford Ranger, damaging the bumper. He didn’t stop and continued walking away.

The man then discovered his vehicle had been stolen and found it parked in nearby Rattray.

When he confronted Mullen, the man was knocked to the ground and punched and kicked repeatedly by the suspect.

Mr McKenzie said several local residents witnessed the attack and saw the level of force Mullen used during the attack.

He added: “A witness looked out of his bedroom window and saw the complainant lying on the floor while the suspect repeatedly jumped on his head with his two feet.

“He also described the suspect kicking the victim in the head and face.

“He left the property to assist Mr Milton and described a pool of blood forming on the floor around his head.”

The court heard the victim was unconscious for about five minutes. He was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for emergency treatment. Medics kept him there for nine days.

Mr McKenzie told the court the victim had lost several months of income after the attack.

He also received brain scans from concerned doctors in the months after the attack and is still recovering from his injuries.

Judge Morris deferred sentence so the court could obtain a report on Mullen’s background.

The case will be heard at the High Court in Edinburgh on November 21, 2024.

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