Hunt on for killer after man stabbed

A police officer stands guard at the scene of the attack in Toll House Gardens

The 22-year-old died following a serious assault at an apartment block in Tranent around 4am yesterday morning.

Paramedics attempted to revive the man - named locally as Paul Scott, a father-of-one from Niddrie - but he died from his injuries.

Detectives locked down the three-storey building in Toll House Gardens yesterday as forensics officers scoured the upmarket new-build estate for evidence linked to the crime.

One resident of the block, who said she was among those who found the body, claimed that the man had been stabbed in the chest in a communal stair of the three-year-old building.

She posted on Facebook: "I seen the guy lying dead. Stabbed in the heart. Bloody horrible.

"We are not allowed out of the flat or hallway."

One 40-year-old resident, who lives across the road from the apartment block where the man died and asked not to be named, told the Evening News: "It was about 4am and I heard an argument coming from the street, not far from my front door.

"There was a man shouting at three young women. One of them was crying and the other two were comforting her.

"When I looked again they were gone, but not long after quite a few police cars came speeding in and I knew something bad had happened."

She added: "It's scary because we have two young children and you don't imagine something like this to happen here."

Last night, one of Mr Scott's friends posted a tribute to him on Facebook, saying: "Paul was one of the nicest guys, can't believe he's gone you deserved so much more. Hope you're at peace, you'll never be forgotten x x".

A major incident team has been established, and an incident room has been set up at Dalkeith Police Station, where the team of 20 officers will be based.

Investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the man's death are at an early stage, and officers are currently examining CCTV footage from the area.

Police in East Lothian are already investigating an attempted murder on Saturday, when a man was stabbed in Musselburgh at around 9.45pm following an argument in the town's Fisher's Wynd, although police say there is nothing to suggest a link at this time.

Detective Chief Inspector Willie Guild, who is leading the inquiry, said: "This young man has been the victim of a violent attack, and we are appealing for help from the public in order to identify his killer.

"We are asking anyone who was in the area around 4am this morning, and who may have seen or heard something suspicious, to get in touch.

"It is also important anyone who has any information in connection with this murder comes forward, either directly to us, or anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers."