Three attempted murders in one weekend

North Reeves Place, Whitburn, where a hit-and-run incident took place. Picture: Scott Taylor

The incidents – two of which involved cars being driven at people – took place in the same weekend that a man was allegedly slashed in the face.

Police have stressed that none of the cases in Blackburn, Livingston and Whitburn are linked.

A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the first attempted murder – at Mosside Road, Blackburn, on Friday morning – while another man, aged 25, appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court yesterday following a knife attack in Eliburn Place, Livingston, on Saturday afternoon.

Investigations are ongoing into the other two attempted murders, one of which is being treated as a random road rage attack.

A 45-year-old man had been driving westbound along the A71, between Newpark and Wilderness roundabouts at Livingston, on Saturday at around 4pm when a blue Renault Clio “shunted” into the back of his car after coming off a slip road.

When the victim pulled over and got out of his car to speak to the other motorist, the driver of the Clio reversed back before driving towards the man, who jumped out of the way before the Clio collided with the offside of his car.

The victim and his female partner, who was in the passenger seat, have been described as shaken but unhurt.

The Clio – with registration number SD03 DXT – was recovered in the Dedridge area on Sunday afternoon following a police chase, but officers are still looking for the suspect who fled the scene. He is described as in his late teens or early 20s, of a slim build with light brown hair.

In a separate incident at around 11pm that evening, a dark saloon car, believed to be a Vauxhall, was driven into a 58-year-old man while he walked beside a block of flats on North Reeves Place, Whitburn.

Detective Inspector Mark Henderson of West Lothian CID said: “These incidents are completely unconnected and I would stress that there is no immediate danger to any members of the public. Police are conducting inquiries and additional patrols in the area.”

George Paul, West Lothian Council’s executive councillor for services to the community, said: “It’s very unusual to hear of so many isolated incidents over such a short space of time.”

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