OAP knifed in face and arm in frenzied daylight assault

AN elderly woman was stabbed with a knife in the face and arm by a female mugger who attacked her as she walked to meet a friend.

• Craigleith Road

The 75-year-old victim was left with a bloody wound to her forehead during the frenzied daylight attack in Craigleith Road.

A man driving past in his car jumped out to wrestle the attacker off the pensioner, while residents and a passer-by went to the aid of the victim, who had blood streaming from a deep cut.

The pensioner is said to have told the first-aiders that she was on her way to Marks & Spencer to meet a friend and had been followed from Stockbridge before the mugger pulled out the six-inch kitchen knife and slashed her.

Police today said that the victim's injuries were "not life-threatening" after she was taken to hospital for treatment.

John Begg, 46, a financial services manager, lives directly across the road from the scene of the attack with his wife and children. He said: "I had been working from home and my daughter was in the front room with one of her friends. I heard them screaming and I thought it was just them mucking about. Then I heard them shout that a woman was being attacked across the street. They saw it happen from the window. I ran outside to help. There was quite a deep gash to her forehead and there was a lot of blood. Luckily, a nurse from the Royal Victoria had also been passing by and she stopped to help.

"She said the lady had also been stabbed in the arm. I went into the house and got a tea towel to use as a compress to stem the blood. The lady was obviously in shock. She kept saying that she had to get to Marks & Spencer to meet her friend."

Local councillor Lesley Hinds said: "This was a shocking attack on a vulnerable lady. It's a quiet area and it's deeply concerning that an incident like this involving a knife could happen there, especially in broad daylight.

"The residents and passers-by deserve congratulations for going to help this lady. Without their help, her injuries may have been far worse."

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police responded to Craigleith Road at around 11.55am yesterday following reports of a serious assault and attempted robbery.

"A 75-year-old woman suffered cuts to her head and arm during the incident.

"Several member of the public came to the assistance of the woman and Lothian and Borders police would like to thank these individuals for their assistance and urge anyone else in the area at the time that may have witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.

"A 31-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the incident and is due to appear in court today."