Young dad scarred for life after vicious park attack

A FATHER has been left with a ten-centimetre scar across his face after being slashed with a knife by muggers who pounced on him as he walked home from his sister's house in the Capital.

Alexander DeVries was taking a shortcut through West Pilton Park when he was beaten to the ground by two men, who then took a blade to his face.

The 34-year-old handyman was left in agony following the attack and believes he will now be scarred for life.

The knife assault came just hours before Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill launched a high-profile blade crackdown in the north of the Capital, an area which now accounts for one-third of all such incidents in the city.

With his four-year-old daughter, Honey, starting school at the end of summer, Mr DeVries said he is worried other parents will judge him to be a thug.

He said: "It's not the pain that is bothering me, it is the way my life will be changed forever.

"I am a good man with nothing to hide and no enemies, trying to bring my daughter up into the world in the right way.

"Now she will wake up and see daddy with a massive scar on his face, which is not easy to explain.

"The instant thing people will think is that I have brought this upon myself, which is hard to accept."

Police confirmed they had no reason to believe the attack was personal, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Mr DeVries described how he was walking through West Pilton Park at 10.30pm on Wednesday when he was set upon.

He said: "It was dark, wet and foggy so I couldn't see very far. It was terrifying getting hit from behind - I had no idea what was happening.

"They took my phone and wallet and ran off.

"I thought I had been punched but I put my hands to my face and it was gushing."

Paramedics rushed him to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where the wound was stitched. Mr DeVries was also monitored until 4am because of the heavy blood loss he had suffered.

On the following day, the Justice Secretary arrived at another park close to Mr DeVries' home to launch the "No Knives Better Lives" campaign.

Mr DeVries said that if police find his attackers, he hopes they are jailed.

He said: "I will happily face them in court. I want to see them named and shamed.

"They got a bit of money from my wallet and a phone not worth very much, but I am left with a scar for life.

"People who carry knives are cowards and I hate the thought that the people who did this might have been younger than me."

Detectives are now calling for anyone who saw the suspects - described as being white, of medium build and wearing dark clothing - to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "This has been an unprovoked violent attack which has left a young man needing stitches to a nasty wound.

"As the suspects approached from behind, the man has done well to give us any sort of description at all.Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0131-311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.