Wife attacked over TV set request

The court was told that Lang and Hopkins had an on-off relationship

A man has admitted repeatedly punching his ex-wife after he was asked to set up a television so she could watch it.

Mark Lang, 35, was asleep after a night drinking when Jacqueline Hopkins woke him at her home in Wardieburn Place South, Edinburgh, in July 2007.

He grabbed his wife's hair and punched her in the face. Lang then followed her to a bedroom where he continued attacking her.

Sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court was deferred for background reports.

Lang also admitted failing to turn up for a court appearance in relation to the assault on 16 January.

Punctured lung

Fiscal Depute John Cook said despite their divorce, the pair had an on-off relationship.

They had been drinking with another couple at her home on the night the attack happened.

Mr Cook said Miss Hopkins was taken to the Royal Infirmary where it was found she had a fractured rib which had punctured a lung.

She was transferred to the intensive care unit where a drain was inserted into the lung.

After an overnight stay, Miss Hopkins was released with seven days' medication.

The fiscal depute added: "The relationship has not recommenced since then."

Defence agent Robbie Burnett told Sheriff Andrew Lothian that the broken rib had not been caused by a direct blow but when Lang had been pushing Miss Hopkins around, she had fallen against a sideboard and that had caused the injury.