Appeal for witnesses after teen attacked

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was assaulted outside a city art gallery.

The incident happened in the early hours of Monday morning, outside the Dean Gallery, in Belford Road.

The 16-year-old victim was walking home on Queensferry Street towards Dean Bridge at around 12.15am when he was approached by the suspect, who spoke to him.

The teenager continued walking, but was followed by the suspect along Belford Road, and was grabbed as he passed the gallery. The suspect stole his mobile phone and wallet, before making off towards the Water of Leith at Belford Road.

The suspect is described as white, in his early to mid-30s, 5ft 9in tall, with dirty blond/brown collar-length hair, and was wearing a short-sleeved blue checked shirt with a grey vest underneath, along with light-coloured trousers, and black shoes.

A police spokesman said: "The victim was still shaken as a result of his ordeal, and we are appealing for any information that can help us locate the suspect. Following his initial attempt to engage with the victim, the suspect has followed him some distance along Belford Road before attacking and robbing him. We know that there were a number of pedestrians in the area at the time, as well as taxis, and we want to speak to anyone who witnessed the assault, or who saw the suspect in the area."

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.