Pensioner walking his dog foils sex attack

A dog walker has been labelled heroic after saving an 18-year-old woman from a suspected sex attacker in Edinburgh.

The man was frightened off by a pensioner who was out walking his Labrador in the Gilmerton area at the time.

The assault on a footpath between Guardwell Glen and Gilmerton Dykes Crescent was thwarted when the dog walker shouted at the attacker.

The incident happened about 8:30pm on Thurs- day. The victim was walking alone on the footpath heading south-west in the opposite direction from Morrisons.

The unknown man is alleged to have approached the girl, pushed her and then attempted to unzip her coat.

A short time later a man, who was passing with his black Labrador, shouted towards the suspect.

Police are still hunting for the suspect and are scouring nearby CCTV at Morrisons for clues in a bid to identify the perpetrator of the attack.

Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the description of the suspect or the witness to come forward.