BUS WOMAN IS TARGET OF 5AM ATTACK

Victim, 44, left with head injuries

A WOMAN left with serious head injuries after being attacked as she was catching a bus was deliberately targeted, police have said.

The 44-year-old Polish victim was found in Woodside Terrace, Elgin, at 5am last Thursday.

She had been making her way to get a bus to her work at Walkers Shortbread factory in nearby Aberlour when she was attacked.

Officers have been unable to investigate the case properly as they have not yet been able to “fully” speak with the woman due to her injuries.

She is receiving treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

But police believe the attack was a deliberately targeted assault. Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson said: “This has been an extremely complex case to deal with, especially as we have been unable to fully speak to the woman to establish what happened because of the extent of her injuries.

“While we kept an open mind from the outset, as a result of our inquiries, I am now content to say that this is being treated as an assault.

“That being the case, this would have been targeted and pre-planned given the early hour and the fact no one else is out in that area at that time.

“I would like to reassure the public that there is no information to suggest that this was a random attack.”

Officers revisited the scene between 4.45am and 5.30am yesterday. They quizzed about 40 motorists in a bid to shed some light on what happened

At the time of the incident, the woman was wearing a light-coloured jacket, blue jeans and brown boots and was carrying a black handbag. She has fair hair and is of average build.

DI Stevenson added: “The woman was on her way to get a bus on East Road, so I would appeal to anyone who saw anything unusual to get in touch, and to anyone with dashcam footage in the Newmill Road, Pansport Road or South Lesmurdie areas of Elgin.”

Anyone with information can call 101 quoting incident number 0354 of October 26 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.