An elderly veteran who was jumped on Remembrance Day has said he 'feared for his life' during the vicious attack.
And, shockingly, Christopher Smith, 61, from Calderwood in East Kilbride is adamant that one of his attackers is a fellow veteran spotting medals on one of the assailants.
Christopher, who served with the Royal Marines during the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland, has been left with a bleed on the brain, cracked ribs and bruised kidneys after the attack on Sunday just after 11pm on Stuart Street in the Village.
The veteran is still recovering from a major heart attack earlier this year.
He had spent the day paying his respects to the fallen and friends who didn't make it home and was heading home after a couple of drinks when two men in their 30s approached him out of the blue.
"I have no idea who they were, I have never met them in my life before," he told the News.
"One of them said something but he was so out of it and I couldn't understand him. I just said to them to go away and leave me alone. I didn't want any trouble.
"The guy who was wearing an Afghanistan medal said something about his friend dying over there, I said I had lost friends everywhere and the next thing I know I am being battered and face down on the ground."
He went on: "I didn't know what to do, I couldn't fathom was happening - on Remembrance Day of all days. It is just unbelievable.
"I remember at one point they left me in a heap, started to walk away and I thought I better try and get myself up but they came back for another go and set about me again, kicking and punching me on the face, head, body - everywhere. It was so vicious, I was just in total shock.
"I honestly thought the second time that was it, they were going to kill me. I underwent major heart surgery earlier this year and died twice on the operating tabe."
Christopher added: "Then after what was probably minutes, they walked off and just left me lying there face down in a puddle. I somehow managed to get myself into the Village Inn for help. My face was in a right mess and I was in a state.
"I just don't understand why this happened to me, I didn't do anyhing. It's horrific, especially as was of them was another veteran."
Christopher received treatment at Hairmyres Hospital before being discharged and police have now launched an investgation.
A spokeswoman said: "Police are investigating after a 61-year-old man was assaulted outside a premises on Stuart Street in East Kilbride at around 11.10pm on Sunday, November 10 by two men.
“The victim attended at Hairmyres Hospital for treatment following the incident.
“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101 and quote incident number 2260 of 11 November.”
