Shopkeeper rushed to RAH after thugs attack him with metal pole

Two thugs battered a young shopkeeper with a metal pole as he closed up for the night.

The 21-year-old was attacked in Johnstone’s Quarry Street as he shut his family’s convenience store around 8.15pm on Monday.

He was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital following the mindless beating and later released.

It is understood the yobs targeted the man outside the shop after they got into an argument with him.

The innocent victim suffered a laceration to his head after he was struck with a metal baton or pole during the senseless attack.

The pair then made off from the scene and police have launched an investigation to trace them.

Detectives are checking CCTV from the area and quizzing potential witnesses.

They said members of the public may hold the key to identifying the violent louts.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman appealed for witnesses to come forward.

She said: “A 21-year-old man was approached and assaulted by two males in Quarry Street, Johnstone, at around 8.15pm on Monday.

“The victim was struck with an implement and suffered a laceration to his head during the attack. The suspects then made off on foot.

“The victim was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment following the incident.

“This was a mindless attack on a man simply going about his business.”

She added: “We are carrying out enquiries in the area, including checking CCTV.

“We would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward to speak to us.

“Did you see two male acting suspiciously in or around the Quarry Street area?

“If you were driving in the area at or around the time, can you please check dashcam footage to see if you captured anything which may be useful to our investigation.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This was a mindless attack on a man simply going about his business