Hero pensioner fights thugs with walking stick in Colinton

A HERO pensioner who jumped in to help his friends as they were being beaten by thugs managed to fight them off with a walking stick.

The incident happened near Colinton bowling club. Image; Google

David Bewsey flew into action after spotting 85-year-old Alec Byres on the ground surrounded by the three attackers and blood pouring from Benny Flynn’s face.

But as he attempted to aid his bowling club friends in Redford Road on Tuesday afternoon, one of the attackers pushed the plucky 65-year-old to the ground from behind.

While on the ground, David spotted one of the attackers had grabbed Alec’s walking stick and was waving it about.

But David, from Redford, reached out and managed to snatch the stick away from his assailant and began smashing him on the legs with it. Today, the retired scientific photographer played down his part in the struggle, claiming he “only did what anyone else would do” in that situation.

Alec, who had just left the nearby Colinton Bowling Club, was attacked after challenging the three assailants for riding their bikes on the pavement.

Benny was standing at a bus stop across the road and went over to intervene, but he was attacked by the lone female in the group.

David said: “I was a bit shocked but when I looked up I saw one of them had Alec’s walking stick.

“For all I know he could have started hitting us with it.

“So I grabbed it as hard as I could and managed to get it off him and started whacking him on the legs with the stick.

“Thankfully they made off and by the time we got ourselves up the police and ambulance had arrived.

“I just did what anyone else would have done and I don’t particularly like this ‘have-a-go-hero’ tag as I don’t really see myself that way.”

David and Alec were treated at the scene, while Benny was taken to the ERI for treatment to the cuts to his face.

Police Scotland have now launched a manhunt for the two men and one woman following the “despicable” attack.

The first male is described as white, in his 20s, of slim build with a goatee beard. He was wearing a light-coloured top and blue jeans.

The female is also white, in her 20s, has light-coloured wavy hair and wearing a light-coloured top and blue patterned trousers. There is no description of the second male.

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