An Edinburgh student has been left shaken and terrified after being sworn at and racially abused by a stranger.
She told how the incident happened early on Thursday morning while still dark with no one else around - so adding to her distress.
While out to get her morning paper, she said the individual smiled at a passing stranger who looked at her then began to snarl racial abuse and swearing profusely.
The victim, from India, who prefers not to be named for safety reasons was left in tears after rushing home and is unsure if she will go to police.
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Speaking to Edinburgh Live, she said: "I was walking today to get the morning newspaper at 7 am and on my way home right on my street I passed the lady who was racist to me.
"No one was around and it happened at around 7:10 so it was completely dark.
"She passed by me and I smiled and looked away and kept walking. She stopped turned around and asked why I was laughing. I was confused and shocked by her aggressive tone and asked her what she meant?
"She started raising her voice and getting increasingly aggressive, looking at me with disgust. She then told me to f*** off and stop looking and laughing at her and cursed at me some more.
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"I told her I was just trying to be kind and smile as I do often and other people often do too in Edinburgh out of politeness. She then told me to f*** off a few more times.
"I got upset, raised my voice at her and ran into my door and went home.
She continued: "I was so shaken and emotional I went straight home and I had a doctor’s appointment right after. I might go to the police this afternoon and speak with them."
She continued: "The whole thing was racial abuse. She wanted to bully me because of my skin colour.
"I didn’t do anything at all, her constant violent cursing toward me was some sort of power trip for her."
On a community Facebook page the individual wrote: "I feel like I genuinely cannot catch a break. I was walking home from the grocery store in Marchmont this morning at 7 am, and passed by a woman.
"I politely smiled and kept walking. She stopped me, started racially attacking me and cursing at me. At 7 in the morning.
"I already was on edge because I was outside when it was pitch dark, but because I saw it was a woman approaching, I let my guard down and smiled to be polite.
"Her violent words and aggression was terrifying, and shocking. Shaken, I came home and wept. I don’t think people understand how racist attacks can shake the very core of you.
"As a woman of colour, constantly having negative experiences, I urge people to put their foot down, to stand up for each other and to be kind and empathetic.
"And for the woman who did this to me, I am sorry for reacting with anger. Instead, I wish I could educate you, and teach you qualities of empathy and kindness, because god knows you need it."
