Man on crutches attacks 53-year-old man outside Midlothian pub Published duration 18 October 2016

image copyright Google

A 53-year-old man is in hospital after being assaulted by an attacker who was on crutches.

The victim was leaving a pub on Main Street in Newtongrange, Midlothian, when he was attacked at about 19:45 on Sunday.

The attacker got out of a private hire cab to hit his victim before getting back in to the car.

The man is being treated for face and chest injuries at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Police said the attacker was a heavily-built white man, about 5ft 10in tall, bald with blue eyes and was walking with two crutches.

'Badly shaken'

He is believed to be in his late-40s and was thought to be wearing a dark Adidas top with white stripes, matching tracksuit bottoms and white trainers at the time of the attack.

Police are appealing for witnesses and particularly want to talk to the cab driver.

Det Con Ian McCandlish, of Police Scotland, said: "This attack has left the victim upset and badly shaken.

"We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of the silver private hire taxi, who would have witnessed the attack.

"Anyone who was in the Main Street area, and saw anything suspicious, is asked to get in touch with us immediately."

Police confirmed the assault was not being linked to the death of 16-year-old Shellie Callaghan following a house party in the town on Saturday.