Enquiries into the rape of a man in Glen Urquhart at the weekend are “still ongoing” this week.
Police Scotland confirmed a man was taken to hospital on Saturday morning after being attacked in his home.
Now specialist officers are asking for help from members of the public to catch the man responsible. The incident is said to have happened in the early hours of Saturday, with the alarm being raised at around 5.20am.
That saw emergency services rushing to the scene with a cordon put in place straight away.
A large police presence could be seen in and around the St Leonards area throughout the morning, with officers carrying out door-to-door enquiries.
Forensic officers were carrying out examinations of the flat, the common close and areas around the flat. But no further information broke across the weekend.
On Monday morning, police were confident that they were following a “definite line of enquiry”. However, that position changed by late afternoon on Monday and no arrests have yet been made.
The 35-year victim told officers he was attacked and raped in his East Kilbride flat before being transferred to nearby Hairmyres Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
Access to the close at the block of flats can be gained by one of two doors – one to the front and one to the rear – with neither secured.
Residents told the News that the area was not known for serious incidents, pointing to noise from the nearby Bonnie Prince Charlie pub as the main bugbear.
One flat owner, who wished not to be named, said: “It’s such a horrible thing to have happened.
“The police have spoken to us all, but there’s nothing that we can say really. This is not a bad area.
“There are one or two wee problems with the pub, but nothing serious. We feel safe here, but then something like this happens. It’s just so sad for the guy.”
Locals have taken to social media to offer words of support and share their disgust at the brutal attack.
Michelle Donnelly wrote on Facebook: “Horrific, hope they catch the evil scum.”
Jennifer Stewart posted: “Shocked to the core to be reading this,” with Amanda Dorricott adding “East Kilbride is getting worse every day.”
Anyone with any additional information should contact police on 101. Information can be left anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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