A CAREER criminal from Dalgety Bay who attempted to murder a man whilst on early release savagely assaulted a female tourist whilst on a temporary home visit from prison.

Callum Campbell-Dunn, 25, was on leave from a nine year jail sentence when he and girlfriend Megan Duffy, 25, attacked New Zealander Loren McBride on August 13, 2019.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Miss McBride was punched and kicked on the head and body during the sickening attack which took place in the city’s Temple Park Crescent.

Prosecution lawyer Lisa Gillespie QC said: “At the time of the offence Miss McBride was visiting the UK on an ancestry visa and had been in Edinburgh for a week.

“Because Duffy looked distressed the complainer intervened and asked if she was alright.

“Without warning, Campbell-Dunn lunged at the complainer and began to punch and kick her. “Duffy then joined in, grabbing the complainer by the hair, kicking and punching her with both accused now attacking her at the same time. The complainer fell to the ground but was able to get back up."

Miss McBride tried to get away while her friend went to call the police.

Ms Gillespie continued: “Duffy followed the complainer and when she caught up with her grabbed her and threw her to the ground. She kicked the complainer to the head and body and stamped on her face.

“The complainer, pinned on the ground, between a parked car and the gutter was unable to move away.

“She described this as by far the most painful part of the assault. Duffy was pulled away from the complainer by the accused's brother who persuaded both accused to return to his flat."

On Monday, Campbell-Dunn pleaded guilty to a charge of kicking and punching Miss McBride to her head and body to her injury.

Duffy, originally from Perth, pleaded guilty to punching and kicking Miss McBride to her head and body, stamping on her head causing her severe injury, permanent impairment and ‘to the danger of her life'.

Miss McBride suffered swelling and bruising to her left eye socket and cheekbone. She also had “abrasions” to her shoulder, scratching and bruising to her elbows and pain and swelling to the ring finger on her left hand.

Campbell-Dunn and Duffy will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on April 1.

He had been allowed out of prison to visit his family at the time of the attack on Miss McBride.

In May 2016, Campbell-Dunn was jailed for nine years at the high court for attacking Daniel Horn, then 21, in Dunfermline.

He had struck the father-of-one with a traffic cone, punched him, stamped on his head and laughed as he took pictures of his victim lying on the ground.

Mr Horn had tried to stop an argument between the yob and his girlfriend on a night out in Dunfermline in December 2015.

He was left with life changing injuries after what a judge called "a vicious and motiveless attack" and could no longer work to support his family.

Campbell-Dunn had been released from Polmont Young Offenders' Institution three months before the attack on Mr Horn and would have been in custody at the time but for early release provisions.

He was freed after serving half of a 19-months sentence for a number of offences, including possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.

Duffy has also served time in prison.

In August 2016, she was given 120 days detention for attacking police officers. Perth Sheriff Court heard how she asked police to find her cigarettes before attacking them.

When the officers told her they could not help, Duffy lashed out at the officers and spat at them.