Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in the city centre which happened at around 3:10am on Friday on Hanover Street outside Bella Italia.
A 31-year-old man was walking towards Princes Street where he planned to catch a night bus home when he became aware of a group of males and females walking in front of him.
He was confronted by one male who punched him several times in the head and body. The victim fell to the ground at which point the suspect’s friends or passers-by intervened and pulled him away.
The victim suffered serious facial injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment before being discharged.
Police were informed of the assault on Friday afternoon and have since been carrying out various local enquiries. Officers are now asking anyone who can assist with their investigation to come forward.
The suspect is described as a white male, believed to be Spanish, around 20-25 years old, 5ft 6ins tall with a medium build and wearing large gold frame glasses. He was also wearing a grey hooded top with black horizontal stripes on the upper arm, black trousers and black shoes.
Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson from Gayfield CID said: “This appears to be an unprovoked attack on a man which could have been much more serious had persons not intervened.
“I would appeal to anyone who has any information relating to the incident to come forward.”
Those with information that can assist with the investigation are asked to call the non-emergency number 101 or contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously 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.
