A MAN kicked a woman, who had been knocked to the ground, so hard that an imprint of his shoe was left on her forehead.

In an attack described as ''sustained and brutal'' Colin Cunnison, 29, kicked Lorraine McKay in the head, face, and body.

Ms McKay had already been knocked to the ground by Cunnison's partner, Tracy Grant, and curled up in the foetal position, screaming and crying in agony during the assault.

A photograph shown to Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday revealed a shoe imprint across her forehead.

Fiscal depute Christine Redmill told Sheriff Andrew Lothian that Miss Grant had fought with Ms McKay outside Lee Rigg pub in Edinburgh's Restalrig Road last December 4 after an on-going argument.

After Miss Grant knocked the other woman to the ground Cunnison launched a savage attack.

''She was kicked repeatedly to the face, head and body and she began screaming and went into the foetal position,'' Miss Redmill said. ''He continued to kick her while she was on the ground. Tracy Grant tried to pull him off and eventually he stopped. Although Lorraine McKay was covered in blood the two walked away.''

She added later: ''This was described as a sustained and brutal attack by professor of forensic medicine, Tony Busuttil, and a photograph shows an imprint on the victim's forehead.''

Three men at a nearby bus stop heard Ms McKay's screams and came to her aid. She was taken to the city's Royal Infirmary, where she was treated with five stitches to a gaping cut at the side of her head. Her face was also badly bruised.

Meanwhile, Cunnison had begun to argue with his partner and the three concerned men, fearing for her safety, escorted her to a police station.

Cunnison initially denied the vicious assault but tests showed Ms McKay's blood had seeped into his jeans.

Five months earlier, on July 1, Cunnison had punched Miss Grant on the face in front of police officers at their home after a pub argument. Cunnison had left the bar first and, fearing violence, Miss Grant had phoned the police before returning home herself.

Officers found the flat door kicked in and Cunnison lying in bed. He was told Miss Grant wanted him to leave and he appeared to go, but then suddenly turned on his partner, punching her twice in the face in front of the astonished constables. He then struggled with the officers as they restrained him.

Several months later on October 18, during another domestic argument in the couple's home in Nisbet Court, Edinburgh, Cunnison pushed PC Ian Kirkpatrick and threatened to stab and slash other officers called to the flat by Miss Grant.

Cunnison now faces a possible jail sentence and Sheriff Lothian called for background reports before making his decision.

Defence agent Iain McSporran said Cunnison suffered a history of depression and had been beaten by his father as a child.

Cunnison yesterday pled guilty to assaulting Miss Grant, struggling with police officers and committing a breach of the peace on July 1, assaulting PC Kirkpatrick and committing a breach of the peace on October 18 and assaulting Ms McKay to her severe injury on December 4 - all last year.