Mugger defied after punching victim in face

A WOMAN was punched in the face by a mugger who attacked her after trying to grab her handbag.

The 45-year-old victim was assaulted as she walked along Fettes Row in Canonmills at about midnight on Monday.

The suspect approached her from the other side of the street and attempted to snatch her bag.

The victim put up a struggle and the man punched her in the face before making off in an unknown direction empty-handed.

The woman suffered swelling to the right side of her face but did not require medical treatment.

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

The suspect is described as white, 5ft 10in tall, in his late 20s to early 30s with short dark hair. He was wearing black trousers and a black sweatshirt.

A police spokesman said: "The victim was understandably left shaken by this assault, but fortunately she was not seriously injured, nor did she end up losing her handbag to the suspect.

"Nevertheless, we are eager to speak to anyone who was in or around Fettes Row at the time of the incident and maybe witnessed anything suspicious."