Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted and robbed at a shopping precinct in Leith.
At around 2:30pm on Sunday, January 3, the 20-year-old was at the seating area of the New Kirkgate Shopping Centre found at the Foot of Leith Walk when an unknown male approached and engaged him in conversation.
A short time later the suspect punched the man several times in the head resulting in minor facial injuries. He then took the man’s wallet before running off through the shopping centre.
Local officers are carrying out various lines of inquiry and are today appealing to anyone who can help identify the attacker to come forward immediately.
He is described as white, possibly in his teens, around 5ft 8ins tall, and wore a black hooded top with black tracksuit bottoms.
Detective Constable Andy Cory of Gayfield CID said: “This was an unprovoked and violent attack that left the male victim with painful injuries to his face.
“We are very keen to trace the attacker as quickly as possible and various lines on inquiry are being carried out in an effort to trace him, including a review of the local CCTV network.
“As part of this ongoing effort we are today appealing for the public’s assistance and I’m particularly interested to hear from anyone who was in the area of the New Kirkgate Shopping Centre on Sunday afternoon and who saw the suspect either before, during or after this incident.”
Anyone with information relevant to the ongoing investigation is asked to contact police 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.
