Knife attacker stabs teen in stomach for headphones

Published on Wednesday 1 April 2009 09:45

A TEENAGE shop assistant was stabbed in the stomach by an attacker who stole nothing more than his headphones.

The 19-year-old blacked out and fell to the ground after being knifed in the unprovoked attack as he walked home from a night out.

The teenager regained consciousness to find he was bleeding but managed to call for an ambulance to take him to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

He was discharged after treatment to the injury but hours later he was forced to return to the hospital after feeling unwell and was kept in for observation.

The victim, who is not being named, was attacked as he walked home along West Savile Terrace in Blackford at around 3.20am on Monday following a night out with friends at the Lava and Ignite club in Tollcross.

Unaware of anyone approaching as he listened to music through headphones connected to his mobile phone, the teenager had just passed Savile Place when he felt a blow to the left side of his abdomen.

The victim did not see the attacker, who left his mobile and wallet untouched while he was unconscious but stole the headphones.

Police said they believed the weapon used was probably a knife or some kind of bladed instrument, adding that it was an "extremely serious assault".

Officers said the victim, who works at a store in George Street, was unable to describe the suspect and a check of CCTV cameras in the area has drawn a blank.

Door-to-door enquiries are being carried out in the surrounding streets.

Detective Constable Conrad Lamb, based at Craigmillar police station, is leading the inquiry.

He said: "The victim had caught a taxi from the nightclub but was short of money and asked the driver to drop him off before he reached his home.

"He was listening to music and was not aware of anyone approaching him. He was suddenly aware of a sharp blow to his side and lost consciousness for at least several seconds.

"When he woke up he could feel blood coming from his abdomen. He managed to call the police and ambulance service and doctors at the ERI identified a puncture wound to his stomach.

"The victim was released from the ERI after treatment but later that day he returned after feeling unwell and was kept in. The injury is not thought to be serious but he was left badly shocked.

"We've interviewed him and we're sure that this was a completely unprovoked and motiveless attack. He had been at a nightclub with friends but hadn't had that much to drink so we don't think that was a factor."

Police are keen to speak to a male cyclist who travelled along the street at the time and may have witnessed the assault.

DC Lamb added: "The street would've been quite quiet at the time but we're appealing for anyone who may have been walking home at that time to come forward.

"This is a very unusual crime to have happened in this area."