Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sally Hind

OAP volunteer suffers facial injuries in reservoir attack by gang of yobs

A pensioner was left with facial injuries after being attacked by a gang of yobs at a Scots beauty spot.

The 70-year-old was left covered in blood after trying to issue safety advice to four teens who then assaulted him at Harlaw Reservoir's dam, Edinburgh, on Tuesday afternoon.

Police Scotland are investigating.

Malleny Angling Ltd (MAL), who oversee Pentland Hills Regional Park and the reservoir, said the pensioner, who had been volunteering at the spot, could have been killed.

Police are probing Tuesday's attack (Google)

It has demanded action by council chiefs to protect volunteers.

Company secretary Robert Ross told the Edinburgh Evening News : “Whilst undertaking bailiff duties a volunteer bailiff offered safety advice to a group of four youths who had gained access onto a section of the dam at Harlaw that is closed to the public.

“His good intention was returned with verbal abuse from one of the youths who held his arms whilst another delivered several blows to his face.

“This was a dangerous and unwarranted attack on an elderly man that could have resulted in a fatality.”

“The situation at Harlaw warrants action by local government. The Harlaw area is not safe and generally unregulated.

“Malleny Angling Association has the highest respect for the work undertaken by the overstretched local ranger but the combination of excess alcohol and swimming in a very deep reservoir is a recipe for disaster.”

Local councillor Susan Webber added: "We need to take affirmative action and stop this misuse of our precious Pentland Hills Regional Park.”

Police Scotland said investigations into the incident were ongoing.

A spokeswoman said: "Police Scotland was made aware of a disturbance at the Harlaw Reservoir shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, July 28.

"A man suffered facial injuries in the incident."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.