Knife thugs hunted in wake of murder bid

The 39-year-old victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his stomach and legs after he and a woman were repeatedly stabbed in a flat in Craigentinny Road.

In a desperate bid to flee, he broke a window in the ground floor flat leading into the back garden and clambered through.

He then climbed over the garden fence and lay bleeding on the second hole of Craigentinny Golf Course before being spotted by the club professional who came to help him.

The professional gave the victim first aid while waiting for paramedics.

The victim was heavily sedated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary following the attack at around 6pm last Wednesday, and was only able to be interviewed by detectives on Monday.

Police also then traced the 43-year-old woman who was stabbed at the same time in the flat but did not come forward to police. She suffered wounds to her legs.

Detectives are treating the attack as attempted murder and are hunting at least two people believed to be responsible. No arrests have been made so far.

Officers declined to comment on whether the murder bid was drug-related, or on any other potential motives, but confirmed the victims had been targeted.

Police raced to the flat, which did not belong to either of the victims, after the man was found. Police sniffer dogs were deployed on the golf course as part of the inquiry.

Detective Sergeant Mike Leask, who is leading the investigation, said he wanted to "reassure the public this is not a random attack".

He added: "This was a very violent and brutal attack on a man who received multiple stab wounds. During the incident, a woman was also violently attacked.

"It took a number of days to locate the female, while we were unable to speak to the male while he was sedated at the ERI. We wanted to make sure he was up and well enough before we tried to take any details.

"The victim had been found on the golf course by golfers who were horrified at the extent of his injuries.

"We are very keen to speak to anyone on Craigentinny Road who might have seen these individuals make their escape following the attack at around 6pm last Wednesday.

"We are following a positive line of enquiry."

DS Leask said officers had carried out door-to-door inquiries on the street, while footage from CCTV cameras in the area was also being examined.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I heard it was drug-related, but that may be because a woman was attacked as well as a man. A lot of women around here act as drug couriers, carrying around heroin in their prams and things.

"No one seems to know who these people were so I'm not sure if they're from the area or not. It's a horrible thing to happen but not too surprising as Craigentinny has some bad parts to it."

A spokesman from Craigentinny Golf Club said: "At approximately 6.30pm on July 14, an injured man made his way on to Craigentinny Golf Course.

"An Edinburgh Leisure member of staff administered first aid to the man and tended to him until the police and ambulance arrived on the scene."