CCTV hunt after jaw smashed in anti-gay attack

The 24-year-old victim was walking with friends in the area at 12.20am when three men confronted them and began shouting anti-gay comments.

Following the attack they ran off towards St Andrew Square and Multrees Walk. The shaken victim was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The first man police would like to speak to is described as white, 21 years old, tall, slim, with dark blond hair and young features. He was wearing a red jacket with white sleeves.

The second is described as white, early 20s, average height and build with dark eyebrows. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up.

Detectives say despite the fact the attack happened on November 27 last year, they are continuing to investigate and appealed for witnesses.

A police spokesman said: “The CCTV image shows two men making their way along Multrees Walk and we are appealing to anyone who recognises them to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone with any other information that can assist with our inquiries should also get in touch.”

The latest CCTV images have been released as an ongoing drive, Operation Arable, continues to crack down on robberies and muggings across Edinburgh.

At the end of February, detectives released footage as part of their hunt for three thugs, including a robber who held up a teenage boy at knifepoint on board a Lothian bus.

The operation involved uniformed and undercover patrols to identify “hotspots” for the rising number of robberies.

Police are distributing leaflets to schools, colleges and universities to raise security awareness amongst potential victims.

A total of 280 street robberies were recorded last year in the city, up 19 per cent on the previous year’s figure of 235.

Anyone with information on the attack should contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800-555 111.