Weekend of violence leaves three wounded

POLICE are appealing for help after a weekend of violence left three men in hospital.

Detectives in Livingston are probing whether attacks on two men who were left suffering serious puncture wounds are linked.

A 36-year-old man was found in Victoria Street in Livingston with deep cuts to his back. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.

A short time later, a 29-year-old man was found in Vancouver Avenue in Livingston suffering puncture wounds to his torso and face. He was treated at St John's Hospital. His injuries are also not thought life-threatening.

Both attacks are believed to have taken place at around 2:15am on Saturday.

And in the city centre a man was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken jaw.

The 20-year-old victim was out with friends when an unknown man assaulted him outside The Picture House on Lothian Road.

Police are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, which took place between 2:30am and 3am on Friday, to come forward.

The suspect is described as Asian, in his early twenties, 5ft 9in tall with a medium build and short dark spiky hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans.