Scotland cyclist attack: Teenager scarred for life after being slashed by men wearing balaclavas

Nineteen-year-old treated for facial, arm and hand injuries after being targeted in Clydebank

Chiara Giordano
Saturday 06 April 2019 11:40 EDT
Scotland cyclist attack: Teenager scarred for life after being slashed by men wearing balaclavas

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

A teenage cyclist has been scarred for life after he was attacked by two men wearing balaclavas in Scotland.

The 19-year-old was cycling on West Thomson Street in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, at about 10.30pm on Friday when two men came up to him and caused him to fall off.

He was then attacked with a small bladed weapon before the men ran off.

The teenager managed to make it home to raise the alarm and was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley by a family member.

He was treated for facial, arm and hand injuries and remains in hospital where staff described his condition as stable.

Police were then made aware of the incident by medical staff.

Officers are now appealing for information about the attack and are attempting to establish a motive.

Detective Constable Adam McCreery said: “This was a very frightening incident for the young man concerned who has received injuries which will leave him scarred for life.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“We are still trying to establish a motive for this serious assault, however we would appeal to anyone in the area of West Thomson Street who may have witnessed the incident to come forward to police.

“We are not yet sure whether this was an attack in which the victim was the intended target but we are keeping an open mind to all possibilities.

“The area in which the incident happened is very residential with a number of flats and houses nearby so I am hopeful that we may have some witnesses who live in the area who might be able to help.”

The men involved in the attack were wearing black balaclavas and dark clothing and one of them was wearing a black Berghaus fleece top.

Anyone with information is asked to call Clydebank Police Station via 101, quoting incident number 0068 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in