Gang attack left victim needing surgery on broken jaw

A MAN had to undergo surgery for a double fracture to his jaw after being attacked by three men shortly after leaving a city nightclub.

The 19-year-old victim had been walking to a bus stop on Shandwick Place after leaving the Karma Knights nightclub on Lothian Road when a man approached him.

The pair began a conversation and were joined by two other men before the victim was punched to the side of the face.

All three suspects then began assaulting the man has he fell to the ground.

A passing taxi driver then intervened and the suspects fled towards Haymarket following the incident at 2.30am on Monday.

The victim made his own way to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he underwent surgery for a double fracture to his jaw.

Police are now appealing for anyone who was in the area and witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.

The first suspect is described as white, in his 20s, 6ft tall with a stocky build and short blue hair. He was wearing a light-blue V-necked T-Shirt and spoke with an English accent.

The second suspect is described as white and wearing a black cap and black jumper.

There is no description of the third suspect.

A police spokesman said: "This appears to be a completely random assault that has left the victim with a painful injury to his jaw.

"We are eager to speak to anyone who was in or around Shandwick place around 2:30am on Tuesday morning and may have witnessed the assault or who can provide a more detailed description of the suspects.

"We are particularly keen to hear from the taxi driver who came to the young man's aid as he may have information that can assist with our investigation and would ask him to contact police immediately."

The spokesman urged anyone with information on the incident to contact police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.