Young dad tells of moment attackers broke his jaw

A YOUNG dad was beaten to the ground by three men outside a nightclub – before being kicked so hard that his jaw snapped.

David Livingstone's jaw was shattered in the attack. Picture: comp

David Livingstone, who also suffered facial nerve damage, was in hospital for two days after the attack on Calton Road.

Speaking to the Evening News today, Mr Livingstone said he was desperate to help police trace his attackers.

The father-of-one has had a metal plate fitted in his jaw and it is not known if he will ever get the feeling back in his nerve-damaged lower lip.

David Livingstone was beaten up outside Studio 24. Picture: Greg Macvean

He will be on a liquid diet for at least a month and fears the injury could jeopardise his role as a vocalist in a heavy metal band.

The 25-year-old does not remember much about the unprovoked attack – apart from the sound of his jaw snapping before he lost consciousness.

He had been waiting for a taxi with friend Mark Steppie outside Studio 24 at around 3.30am on Sunday, March 1 when the trio launched the assault.

Mr Steppie, 24, who was visiting from Dundee, suffered a dislocated shoulder when he tried to pull one of the men off Mr Livingstone.

“The hospital said that I went into shock and I didn’t know what was going on,” said Mr Livingstone. “The only thing I remember is being on the ground and then someone kicking me in the face. Once I heard my jaw snap I was out cold.”

Mr Livingstone was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary before being transferred to the Western General.

He was then moved to St John’s Hospital in Livingston for an operation on his jaw.

Specialists say his injury is healing well. However, the incident has affected Mr Livingstone’s confidence.

He has to be careful around his four-year-old son Louis as even the slightest knock is agony, and he suffers “excruciating pain” when it is cold.

Mr Livingstone, from Granton, said: “People tell me it’s in my head but personally I feel that I look different. It’s been quite traumatic.”

The singer, who performs in metal band Mind Set A Threat, said he wanted to speak out to prevent others going through such an ordeal.

“It’s such a small city and quite a lot of people have been really supportive,” he said. “But I think people are being quite hush-lipped about it.

“I want people to come forward because I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. If anyone has information, could they please go to the police. I’m just looking for a little bit of justice. I wouldn’t wish what they have done to me on anyone.”

The men are described as white and in their early to mid-20s. The first was around 6ft 2in tall, with a medium build, gingery beard and Scottish accent. He was wearing thick black-rimmed glasses, a black coat or hoodie, jeans and trainers.

The second suspect was 5ft 8in tall, with a slim build and short gingery-brown hair. He also had a Scottish accent and was wearing a white T-shirt and a red and green tartan coat. The third man was 5ft 11in tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length dirty blond hair.