A chef who chased his cousin along a capital street with a meat cleaver after a whisky session was tackled by a brave passerby.
Nelson Da Costa brandished the weapon as he ran after his relative following a booze-fuelled argument.
Da Costa was stopped after a man walking by witnessed the incident in Edinburgh’s Old Town and intervened.
READ MORE: Edinburgh woman's lucky escape as she walks away from 'scary' crash on icy road
The 31-year-old dad - who is from East Timor and has lived in the UK for around eight years - was traced by police and arrested, the Daily Record reports.
Da Costa appeared at the city’s Sheriff Court on Thursday and pled guilty to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour.
Fiscal depute Alan Wickham said the incident started at around 11.55pm outside a restaurant on South Bridge.
Mr Wickham said witnesses saw Da Costa “brandishing a meat cleaver” and “shouting and acting in an aggressive manner” towards Julio Da Costa.
He added: “He proceeded to chase him along South Bridge with the meat cleaver.
“A passersby observed what was happening and intervened, separating them and causing the accused to drop the meat cleaver and run off in the direction of Chambers Street.”
The prosecutor said police traced Da Costa at his home in the Dumbiedykes area.
Defence agent Charles Morrison said Da Costa and his cousin had drunk a “significant quantity of whisky” together that evening.
Mr Morrison said: “They had been drinking at home. There was an argument and then there was a chase.
“He doesn’t know what the argument was about. His recollection is not good at all.
“He regrets his conduct. There is no ill-feeling between him and his cousin.”
The solicitor said Da Costa had a wife back in East Timor in Southeast Asia, and a four-year-old son he’d never met in person.
The court heard Da Costa - a first offender - sent £500 to his family each month to support them.
The incident took place between April 2 and 3 2021.
Sheriff Chris Dickson deferred sentence on Da Costa until next month for reports.
READ NEXT:
Morrisons launches Mother’s Day deals on food, fizz and gifting with prices starting from just 39p
New Edinburgh student apartments with terrace overlooking canal set to go ahead
Inside Edinburgh's abandoned 'ghost' village completely frozen in time
Moment Edinburgh man is overcome with emotion at finding relative's long-lost grave
Plans for Edinburgh city centre Wetherspoon outdoor terrace branded an 'eyesore'
