POLICE APPEALS TWO ATTACKS IN 15 MINUTES
Gang pounce and woman assaulted in separate incidents
Police have launched appeals for information after two vicious attacks took place within 15 minutes in Livingston.
At around 4.30am on Sunday (March 11) near the roundabout at Deans North Road, two 26-yearold men were attacked and hospitalised with serious facial injuries after being assaulted by a gang of six or seven youths.
The male victims, who were walking with two women near the entrance to Raeburn Rigg, managed to flee towards Fells Rigg after being attacked.
Then in a separate incident, at 4.45am, a 24-year-old woman was the victim of a “very distressing”
sexual assault.
The attack happened on a footpath near Eliburn North
Roundabout, when the victim was approached by a man who then assaulted her. The suspect in the sexual assault case is described as white, in his mid 20s, of medium build, around five feet 10 inches tall, with dark brown hair and stubble. He was wearing a dark blue or black jumper and dark-coloured jeans.
Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward for both investigations.
In the case of the assault on two men, one suspect is described as white, around five feet nine inches tall, of heavy build with dark hair and was wearing a grey hooded
top and jeans.
Detective Constable Alan Gibson of Livingston CID said: “These men had been on a night out and instead of going home afterwards were set upon by this group and spent the night in hospital.
“This level of violence is appalling and I would urge anyone who may know who is responsible or may have seen the group of youths in the area in the early hours of Sunday to get in touch with police.”
Speaking about the sexual assault, Detective Sergeant David Macmillan of Livingston CID, said: “A thorough investigation into this incident is currently underway and we continue to support the woman at this very distressing time. I’d urge anyone who was in the area around 4.45am, anyone who recognises this man’s description, or who has information which may be relevant, to contact us immediately.”
Anyone with information on the sexual assault case can contact police on 101, quoting incident number 0890 of March 11.
Anyone with information on the attack on the two men can contact Livingston CID on 101 quoting reference 840 of March 11 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.