Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was assaulted and robbed of his mobile phone in East Claremont Street, Edinburgh in the early hours of Monday morning.
Enquiries are ongoing after a 24-year-old male serving soldier who was on holiday in the city – was attacked by four or five males as he walked east along East Claremont Street at 0110 hrs on Monday 12th May.
He had left his nearby hotel to buy food and was wearing headphones listening to music on his iphone.
He was aware of a group of about five men walking towards him when, without provocation, one of them punched the man on the face, causing him to fall to the ground. He was then kicked on the face and his hands when he tried to protect himself. The suspects all ran away, heading west towards Rodney Street.
The victim was dazed and taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was treated for his injuries. The man subsequently realised his mobile phone had been stolen in the incident.
The suspects are all described as being white – with the one who carried out the attack being 18/19 years old, with acne on his face. He was wearing a grey Adidas-style tracksuit and white trainers. One of the other suspects was wearing a blue hoody.
Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “This was an unprovoked attack on someone visiting Edinburgh on holiday.
“We are eager for people to come forward with any details which may assist police.”
Anyone with information on this crime can contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
