Assault near Edinburgh’s Robert Burns Memorial leaves man in hospital with head injuries

Police have appealed for information from the public after the attack.
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A man had to be treated in hospital for head injuries he sustained during an assault near the Robert Burns Memorial in Edinburgh.

Police said the attack happened at around 10pm on Thursday evening, when the man was in Regent Road near the statue of the famed Scots poet.

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Officers said he was attacked by a man who then ran off in the direction of Abbeyhill.

A man had to be treated in hospital for head injuries he sustained during an assault near the Robert Burns Memorial in Edinburgh.A man had to be treated in hospital for head injuries he sustained during an assault near the Robert Burns Memorial in Edinburgh.
A man had to be treated in hospital for head injuries he sustained during an assault near the Robert Burns Memorial in Edinburgh.

The victim was treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for injuries to his head and arm, but has since been discharged.

Detectives said his assailant is slim with a Scottish accent, and was wearing a white jacket.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said there was no link between the assault and recent rows over the statues of controversial historical figures, like Henry Dundas and Robert Milligan, both of whom had links to the international slave trade.

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Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor, Violence Reduction Unit, Gayfield Police Station, said: "Officers are currently checking CCTV in the area and making enquiries, however, would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this attack happen.

"Any information can be passed to officers at Gayfield Police Station via 101. Please quote reference number 4072 of 11 June 2020 when calling. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111."

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