Parkinson's sufferer robbed in 'sickening' attack

Published on Tuesday 19 August 2008 10:42

AN elderly man suffering from Parkinson's disease has been attacked and robbed in broad daylight just yards from his city centre home.

Two men lay in wait for the 75-year-old and struck as he walked from a cash machine on Sunday afternoon.

Police have launched an urgent appeal for witnesses to what they say was a "sickening" attack. It comes just days after a 45-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer was the victim of a mugging in Oxgangs.

The victim in the latest attack had withdrawn cash from the Bank of Scotland ATM on Shandwick Place at around 4.30pm. The attackers had followed him as he walked home on nearby Atholl Crescent Lane, where one approached him and asked for directions.

It was when he was pointing the way that the other man shoved him from behind on to the ground before going through his pockets and stealing his wallet.

A police spokesman said the incident had left officers "disgusted".

He said: "This was a sickening attack on a vulnerable elderly man, and we are appealing to the public to help bring the two men responsible to justice.

"The victim uses a walking stick and is unsteady on his feet, so he may have been quite noticeable to people who were in the area at the time.

"Anyone who witnessed the assault, or who saw the two men following the victim from Shandwick Place, are urged to contact police as a matter of urgency.

"Similarly, anyone who has any other information that can help us identify the suspects should get in touch immediately."

After the attack, the two men ran off towards Canning Street.

The first suspect is described as white with slightly bronzed skin, about 5ft 8ins tall and aged between 30 and 40. He was of medium build, had dark brown hair and was wearing a baseball cap. He spoke with a foreign accent but had good English. His accomplice is also described as white, of the same age and height and also with a medium build.

It comes as police continue to hunt two teenage girls who attacked a cerebral palsy sufferer last Tuesday. The pair knocked the 45-year-old to the ground before punching and kicking him during the attack in Oxgangs at about 10pm.

Although he wasn't seriously hurt by the attack, police said he looked "traumatised". The girls, said to be aged between 14 and 16, also verbally abused the man before running off from the pathway leading to Oxgangs Street.

Anyone with details should contact police on 0131-311 3131.