‘Gentle giant’ left with facial injuries after alleged attack

Aman with learning difficulties was left with facial injuries after an alleged attack in Kirkcaldy. Paul Smith, described by his family as a gentle giant, was allegedly set upon in Kirkcaldy on Fr i d a y evening.

His family say Mr Smith lost his walle t in the incident and he was left on the ground, bleeding and bruised.

A 31-year-old man has since been arrested and is set to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court today.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident, which happened in a lane off Fair

Isle Road in the town’s Templehall area between 9.15-10pm, to contact them by calling 101.

Paul’s sister Viv Fortune, 49, said: “It happened about 40 yards from his home.

“He went into the Co-op and used his card to make a purchase. He walked home and it was between there and home.”

She said Mr Smith’s head was smashed against a wall. He suffered a laceration to his head and a black eye.

Viv said: “Paul’s a gentle giant and is a well known character. He has learning issues and is quite a vulnerable adult.

“He struggles with communication. He needs support, he can’t live alone.

“People usually look out for him, and it’s been quite a shock in that respect that this has happened on his doorstep.”

Paul was not taken to hospital, but was treated by paramedics.

Viv said despite his ordeal he was “bearing up remarkably well”.

She added: “Things like this shouldn’t happen on your doorstep.

“It happened round the back of an old folks’ home and it could have been anybody walking down there.”

A Po l i c e Scotland spokesman said: “We received a report of a 53-year-old man who was robbed in Kirkcaldy on Friday October 23.

“Contact us on 101 quoting incident number 3750 of October 23 2020.”

He has learning issues and is a vulnerable adult