Teen in coma after being beaten with bat at house party

The grassy area on Claverhouse Drive, Liberton, where the teenager was attacked during a house party

The 17-year-old was rushed to hospital and had to undergo emergency brain surgery after being hit with a baseball bat in Claverhouse Drive, Liberton.

Four teenagers, three 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old, have been charged with attempted murder.

Neighbours today told how there had been a mass disturbance when the party, which is believed to have been announced on Facebook, became rowdy and violent at around 9pm on Friday. Around 30 people are thought to have been involved in a brawl on grass next to the house.

One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said there had been several incidents in the area in recent months, including vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

She said: "There are rowdy groups and I often see them drinking, swearing and throwing (things] in the streets. Everybody tries to keep themselves to themselves. It is a horrible thing to have happened."

She added that the party had started at around 5.30pm on Friday evening. Another neighbour said the party had grown apace after it was announced on Facebook. He said that a group of youngsters had gathered in the garden before moving on to the green outside, where they began to shout and fight.

The victim was rushed to hospital suffering from extensive injuries which meant he required emergency brain surgery. He has now been put into a medically-induced coma.

Police are still investigating the incident.

A spokesman said: "Four males, aged 16 and 15, have been arrested and charged in connection with the attempted murder of a 17-year-old male in an incident that happened in Claverhouse Drive in the Liberton area of the Capital at around 9pm on Friday.

"Anyone who witnessed the disturbance or has any other information that can assist our enquiries should contact police." Declan Robertson, Andrew Parfinowski and Cameron McKail, all 16, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court along with a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, earlier this week charged with attempted murder. They made no plea or declaration and were released on bail.