A HOMELESS man living in a tent knocked a man who threatened to rob him unconscious with a champagne bottle.

Barry Whiteman, 37, admitted repeatedly smashing the bottle over the head of 21-year-old Paul Sinclair at Elmbank Gardens, Glasgow, on December 26, 2019, to the danger of his life.

After the brutal attack which took place at 5am Whitelaw shouted at his victim: “That’s what you get for trying to rob a homeless guy.”

Prosecutor Euan Cameron said: “At the time the accused was sleeping in a tent near to the entrance of Charing Cross railway station. Mr Sinclair was staying in a nearby hotel and staff there saw him leave and walk in the direction of the railway station.”

The court heard that Mr Sinclair kicked the side of Whiteman’s tent and began shouting: “Give me your f***ing money’ at him.

A security guard working nearby shouted at Mr Sinclair to leave Whiteman alone. At this point Whiteman come out the tent and struck Mr Sinclair four times on the back of the head with the empty bottle, causing him to fall to the ground.

He then struck Mr Sinclair a further six times with the bottle, leaving him lying unconscious on the ground.

When Mr Sinclair regained consciousness Whiteman helped him back to his hotel.

Mr Sinclair was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and treated for cuts to his scalp and fractures to his skull.

Mr Cameron said: “His injuries were serious and posed a potential danger to life. He remained in hospital until January 6.

“He has been left with ongoing headaches as a result of the injuries inflicted on him.”

Defence QC Iain McSporran said: “The complainer had been at the hotel and had had quite a lot to drink. That included a bottle of champagne.

“Mr Whiteman says that Mr Sinclair brought the bottle with him as Christmas or not it is very unlikely that Mr Whiteman, who is long-term homeless, would have had an empty bottle of champagne.

“Mr Sinclair said he decided to go and bam the guy up. He blocked the entrance of the tent for four minutes shouting ‘give me your money’ and had the champagne bottle.

“It was taken off him by Mr Whitelaw.”

Judge Lord Armstrong deferred sentence on Whiteman, who has 22 previous convictions including violence, disorder and possession of weapons, until September 16 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Lord Armstrong told Whiteman,: “You will continue to be detained until then.”