Police appeal after two serious attacks

Police are investigating two serious assaults on the same night in West Lothian.

A 36-year-old man was hospitalised with serious injuries following a brutal assault by in Bathgate on Friday with one of the attackers producing a weapon.

And in Craigshill, a 20-year-old man suffered a serious injury to his back after becoming involved in an argument with a man and a woman.

The incident in Bathgate started at around 11.15pm near the train station on Edinburgh Road when three men started hitting the victim as he walked past the train station.

The 36-year-old fought off his attackers and ran away but the three assailants caught up to him on Marjoribanks Street, near Academy Place, where one of the attackers produced a weapon.

The victim was taken to St John’s Hospital with serious injuries and police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the assault to come forward.

The first suspect is described as being white, around five feet six inches to five feet nine inches tall, young looking with blonde hair and a medium build, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans.

The second suspect is white, five feet nine inches tall, around 20 years old with short dark hair, dark features, slim face and was wearing a dark green bomber jacket and dark trousers and possibly a dark coloured beany hat.

The third suspect is white, five feet six inches tall, aged between 16 and 20 years old with long dark hair, wearing a dark green jacket with a hood.

Police are also appealing for witnesses following the serious assault in Craigshill.

The attack happened around 10pm at Fremantle Street, Craigshill and continued to the Craigshill Mall area at Almond West Road.

A 20-year-old man was on Fremantle Street when he became involved in an argument with a man and a woman. The man assaulted the victim, resulting in him sustaining a serious back injury. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The suspect is described as white, 20 to 25 years old, six feet tall, of medium build with short dark hair bleached blonde on top and a clean-shaven face. He had a local accent and was wearing a blue hooded top, blue cotton shorts and white trainers.

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.