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COWARDLY ATTEMPTED ROBBERY

Submitted by Editor on

What follows is a press release from Police Scotland. 

We reproduce it unedited and in full. 

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following an assault and attempted robbery in the Abbeyhill area of the city. 

The incident happened around 5.30 p.m. on Friday 5th May at an address in Stanley Place. 

A 71-year-old man was washing his Volkswagen Golf in his driveway when at around 5 p.m. a man passed and engaged him in conversation. 

Half an hour later a different male again engaged the elderly man in conversation. 

At this time he grabbed hold of the victim and wrestled him to the ground before getting into the car and trying to drive off . 

The man's wife then exited the house and a further struggle ensued before the suspect made off from the area. 

Both victims only sustained minor injuries and contacted to police, who are now urging anyone with information to come forward. 

The suspect is described as white, 6ft tall, late twenties to early thirties, well built with dark curly hair on top and short at sides and dark messy stubble. 

He was wearing dark joggers, a dark t-shirt with lighter writing on the chest and a tattoo on his left forearm of a name in old style writing. 

Detective Inspector Paul Grainger said: "This was a very frightening ordeal for the elderly victim and his wife, but thankfully neither were seriously injured, nor did they lose their car. 

"We have a very detailed description of the suspect and would urge anyone who recognises him, or who can assist us in tracing him to come forward. 

"As part of our inquiries we have established that two men were seen acting suspiciously around the Lothian Cars garage on Stanley  Place prior to this incident and we are looking to establish if the same individuals were involved. 

"If you have  seen anyone acting suspiciously or unusually in this area around this time or if you  believe you have information relevant to our ongoing inquiry then please contact police immediately."

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 and quote incident number 3103 of the 5th May. Alternatively, make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.