Woman punched in face by attacker in Edinburgh
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was punched in the face before the attacker tried to drag her into bushes in Edinburgh.
The woman was walking her dog along the Chancelot path, near Clark Road in the Warriston area, between 14:00 and 15:00 on Thursday, when she was attacked.
The man grabbed her and punched her in the face before trying to drag her into a wooded area.
The victim struggled with the man before he ran off.
He was described as being white, 25 to 30-years-old, 6ft tall, of medium build, with an oval-shaped, long face.
He had short dark hair, very dark eyes, a drawn complexion, large hands, and protruding ears and was wearing dark trousers and a black or grey cotton hooded top, with the hood a lighter colour than the rest of the jacket.
Lothian and Borders Police said the attack happened about 30m (98ft) past the junction of Chancelot path with the Ferry Road path, Golden Acre path and Hawthornvale path.
A police spokesman said the attack could be linked to a similar assault in the Gillespie Road area of the city.
Speaking about the attack in Warriston, a Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "While the victim did not suffer any serious injury she was understandably distressed as a result of being attacked, and we are appealing for any information that can help us track down the suspect.
"Anyone who was using any of the walkways in the Warriston area last Thursday, who noticed anyone acting suspiciously there, should contact police immediately.
"Likewise anyone who recognises the description of the suspect should also get in touch."
The spokesman added: "At this time we are keeping an open mind to the possibility that the assault may be linked to a similar incident that happened exactly a week later, where a woman was assaulted in the Gillespie Road area of the city.
"Inquiries into this incident are continuing, and as well as carrying out increased patrols in the areas where both assaults occurred, officers will be visiting the scene of each incident this Thursday afternoon in a bid to speak to pedestrians and gather information a week on from both assaults."