A police investigation is underway following an assault and robbery in the Hopetoun Street area of Bathgate which happened around 3am on Sunday morning.
Two women, both aged 23, were walking through a vennel between Hopetoun Street and Hopetoun Lane and when they were approached by two unknown women who subsequently assaulted them.
Both victims sustained serious, but not life-threatening, head and facial injuries. One of the woman also had a number of items of make-up taken along with her black high heeled shoes.
Two women and a man assisted the victims after the assault took place and they both then returned home and contacted police. The suspects were last seen near to a car park on Hopetoun Lane.
Both women later attended at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, in order to receive medical attention. One has been released, however the other has been detained for treatment.
Police are investigating and are appealing for information.
The first suspect is described as a white woman in her mid-thirties. She has a medium build, is around 5ft 3” in height and has dark shoulder length hair with blonde highlights.
She speaks with a local accent and was wearing a black off the shoulder top with a floral print and black skinny jeans.
The second suspect is also a white woman in mid-thirties. She is around 5ft 3” with a large build and dark hair. She was wearing a light coloured pink bomber jacket.
Officers are particularly keen to speak to the man and two women who assisted the pair shortly after the attack.
Detectives also believe that the suspects were in Envi Nightclub, Hopetoun Street, Bathgate, and may have encountered the victims within the premises beforehand.
Detective Constable David Bryce of Bathgate Police Station’s Robbery Investigation Unit said: “This was a brutal and unprovoked attack, which has left the victims badly shaken and with serious injuries.
“We are eager to trace the women responsible and wish to speak to anyone who saw the suspects in Envi Nightclub.
“Hopetoun Street was busy on the morning of Sunday, March 12, and we believe there may be witnesses who were in the area and who may have information.
“We are also keen to speak to the man and two women that assisted the victims shortly after the attack.
“I would ask anyone with information, or who recognises the description of the women, to get in touch with police as soon as possible.”
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.
