Cops are probing a "homophobic" attack on a gay Scots couple which saw one of them kicked into the path of an oncoming car.
Shocking images showed the victims, aged 33 and 30, being punched, kicked and allegedly spat on - before being robbed of a bag.
The attack happened on Leith Street, Edinburgh, around 9.20pm on the night of Friday July 30.
Photographs showed yobs kicking one of the men into the road as a car approached on the busy street, near to John Lewis.
A horrified witness said: "It was unprovoked entirely - the gay men did not fight back, they only tried to defend themselves.
"The boys were laughing, egging each other on and calling the victims p**fs. Another girl (at the scene) heard them say p**fs explicitly.
"The victim came straight over, thanked me and I asked if he was okay. There was blood on the ground.
"He burst into tears and I held him as he sobbed so hard into my chest. He told me he did not know why they did it to him."
The four men were believed to be in their early 20s according to the witness.
The couple are understood to be married.
City of Edinburgh Council leader Adam McVey wrote on Twitter: "Horrific to hear of homophobic robbery and assault on a gay couple 9.20pm, Friday, Leith St.
"Anyone with info please contact @EdinburghPolice on 101 quoting incident no. 3636, 30 July to help catch perpetrators.
"Edinburgh is a proud and safe city, but this should worry us all.
"This isn't the first violent, homophobic attack this year, my thoughts are with the victims this morning.
"We all need to unite to condemn these.
"But we also need to act when minorities are subject to different treatment in press, workplaces and wider."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report of an assault and robbery against two men on Leith Street, Edinburgh, around 9.20pm on Friday, 30 July.
"Both men - aged 33 and 30 - weren't seriously injured. Enquiries are ongoing."
