Drinkers tell of terror after gang's gas attack on pub

PATRONS at a Lothians pub have spoken of their terror after an armed gang surrounded the building and sprayed a choking gas inside.

Pub-goers at the Rowan Tree in Mayfield, Dalkeith, were left struggling to breathe after a substance thought to be pepper spray was discharged within the building.

During the attack, at 7.15pm on Saturday, a man in his mid-60s was struck over the head with a crowbar, according to witnesses.

Bar manager Angie, who asked for her surname not to be revealed, said: "They were outside, about 15 of them with weapons, and they sprayed something into the pub. It only took a minute before everyone was choking. It was like a burning in your throat. It must have been CS gas or something.

"I was on the phone trying to get an ambulance and I was basically screaming down the phone because I couldn't speak.

Witnesses claimed the attack was linked to an incident the night before, which they said left two men in hospital.

Witnesses said the group of men then began a fight outside of the pub, which is on the town's Eskview Road.

One 19-year-old road worker, who was attacked by the men, said: "After they got given drinks, bottles of lager, I came outside and there were two woman standing here as well.

"I just stuck my head round the corner (of the front door] and got smacked straight in the face, in my jaw, by one of the guys."

"Then they went after one of the women as well".

Lothian and Borders Police have confirmed that four men have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident, three on breach of the peace and one on warrant.