Man is attacked by teenage gang

Oct 2 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

POLICE are this week appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was attacked and beaten by a gang of youths in Holytown.

The seemingly unprovoked incident took place at about 12.30am on September 27, on Redwood Road.

Police who are investigating the incident say that a 44-year-old man was returning home in a taxi.

When he got out of the taxi he noticed a crowd of youths standing near to his house.

The man walked down the lane where he was attacked by the group of youths.

They repeatedly kicked and punched him causing him to fall to the ground, said a police spokesman this week.

The victim managed to run back to his taxi, but a small black car appeared and stopped on the road near to the taxi.

A youth from inside this car then joined in what police described as an “unprovoked attack”.

The taxi window was then struck with a Buckfast bottle causing damage to the car.

The youths then fled from the scene of the incident.

The victim suffered injuries to his nose and stomach and was taken to Wishaw General Hospital.

The suspects are described as being all male and were wearing dark clothing and a small dark car was involved.

Police say that they are very keen to trace the youths involved in the attack and have appealed for anyone with any information to contact them as a matter of urgency.

Anyone who has any further information on this incident should contact Bellshill Police Office or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where all calls are free and completely confidential.

Meanwhile in two separate incidents police in North Lanarkshire have seized drugs from houses in the area after raids on a number of properties.

Police officers went to at a house in Lochlea Way, Newarthill, and another property in High Street, Newarthill, on September 23 following investigations.

A spokesperson said that during the police operation quantities of heroin and cannabis, and a large sum of cash were seized by officers.

A 52-year-old woman and 50-year-old man from the Newarthill area were arrested for allegedly being in possession of controlled drugs and also allegedly being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

Police say that both have been held in custody pending their appearance at court.

And in a separate operation conducted by police officers in the local area a 35-year-old man was apprehended in Woodilee Road, Newarthill and allegedly found to be in possession of quantities of heroin, cannabis and diazepam.

He was arrested by the police officers in connection with allegation of possessing controlled substances and being allegedly concerned in the supply of controlled substances.