9am Briefing: Woman in hospital after attempted mugging

A WOMAN needed hospital treatment after she was assaulted by a man who tried to mug her.

The 40-year-old was attacked from behind in Stevenson Road, Gorgie, at around 1.20pm on Sunday.

She suffered a cut to her hand before the man, who had a blue star-shaped tattoo next to his right eye, ran off. She was taken to St John’s Hospital, Livingston, for treatment.

He is described as white, in his early 30s, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 6ins tall, medium build with dark hair, and a spotty face. He spoke with an eastern European accent, and was wearing a black hooded top, black silky bomber jacket, and dark blue denim jeans.

Police appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 0131-311 3131.

• COMEDIAN Ricky Gervais has been cleared by television watchdogs after referring to West Lothian singer Susan Boyle as “a mong”.

Campaigners have expressed their outrage at the Ofcom ruling, which stated the Office star was justified in his rant because it was after the 9pm watershed.

Charities have also criticised Gervais, who said in his Channel 4 show that Boyle, from Blackburn, who shot to fame following her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, would not have succeeded had it not been for her appearance.

• A BUILDING at the Western General Hospital has resumed normal operation after a chemical false alarm caused an evacuation.

The building was emptied after a leaking container of dry ice was found in a fridge yesterday afternoon. It appears the lid was not securely fastened, allowing the smoke-like gas to escape from the bottle.

The building was cleared for around an hour while firefighters investigated the scene before deciding that there was no risk.