Man slashed with knife and beaten after chatting to attacker in street

Witness appeal: Officers want to speak to anyone with information.©: STV

A man was slashed with a knife and robbed in a residential street in a night-time attack in Edinburgh.

The 45-year-old was walking near the Lochend Road junction in East Hermitage Place on Saturday night when the incident happened.

At around 9.45pm, a man approached him and struck up a conversation. He then produced a knife and demanded the man hand over his wallet.

The victim resisted and the attacker cut the 45-year-old on his arm before repeatedly kicking him and stealing his wallet.

A passing motorist stopped and shouted at the suspect who then fled.

The victim contacted Lothian and Borders Police on Tuesday to report the incident.

He described his assailant as white, around 6ft in height, with a slim build, and bald-headed with fair hair at the sides. He was wearing a green hooded top with white stripes down the sleeves and dark tracksuit bottoms.

He had a small white dog with him at the time.

A police spokesman said: "The victim was not seriously injured as a result of this attack, but was left shaken and upset at being assaulted and robbed.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who was in or around East Hermitage Place or Lochend Road yesterday evening and remembers seeing anything suspicious, or who can help us identify the man responsible for this attack.

"In particular, we would like to speak to the motorist who stopped and shouted at the suspect and we would ask him to contact police immediately to assist with our enquiries."

Witnesses are asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

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