Kenny Richey has appeared in court charged with severely injuring another man in Edinburgh.
The 44-year-old is accused of assaulting Robert McCall, 63, at a flat in the capital last July.
On Tuesday, Mr Richey denied all four charges against him when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh before Lord Brodie for a preliminary hearing.
Mr Richey is alleged, whilst acting with someone else, to have assaulted Mr McCall at the flat. He is accused of demanding money, threatening him with violence and robbing him of a mobile phone and money.
The second charge alleges that at the same flat less than a week later, on July 17, Mr Richey assaulted Mr McCall to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life. He is said to have masked his face, gone into the flat, demanded money and repeatedly struck him on the head and body with a metal baton, causing him to fall to the ground.
Mr Richey is then alleged to have kicked Mr McCall and pursued him to the common stairway, striking him on the head and causing him to fall down a flight of stairs. He is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by getting someone else to wash bloodstained clothing, and of committing a breach of the peace at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on August 26 last year.
On Tuesday, Ronnie Renucci - Mr Richey's defence counsel - asked for a further preliminary hearing to allow the defence more time to transcribe a tape recording. Mr Renucci did not say what the tape recording was but said it was "of the utmost importance" and "a crucial piece of evidence" in the case.
Lord Brodie ordered that another preliminary hearing should be held on January 20. Mr Richey was remanded in custody in the meantime.
