Balcony push attempt man jailed

A man who admitted trying to push a woman over a balcony at flats on the outskirts of Edinburgh has been jailed for six years.

Kevin Steele's victim clung onto a railing as she attempted to stop herself being pushed over a 30ft drop, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.

The 37-year-old admitted assaulting the woman to her severe injury during the attempted murder bid on 26 September.

Steele, from South Queensferry, will be supervised for a further six years.

During the attack the woman's head was struck against a door and a floor and she was also punched and kicked.

A neighbour was alerted to the attack by the victim's "horrendous" screams and made a 999 call to police.

The woman was taken to hospital for treatment and was later found to have a total of 67 injuries to her head and body.

Judge Lord Stewart told Steele: "You have pled guilty to a charge of attempted murder involving a serious, vicious and prolonged assault on a woman with a sexual element which came to an end only when interrupted by the police."

He also placed him on the sex offenders register.