A Scots social worker has been left scared to leave the house after she was knocked unconscious and beaten black and blue by strangers at an event at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Ellen Clarkson, from Broxburn, was battered at the Hot Dub Time Machine show at the Royal Highland Centre on the outskirts of the capital at around 1.15am on Sunday, August 21. The 23-year-old says she was set upon by an older man and group of females as she celebrated her birthday with friends.
The man, who was said to be in his 30’s, allegedly punched Ellen in the face and knocked her unconscious before two females began kicking her in the face and head. Shocking images shared by Ellen show her bruised and swollen face.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Ellen said: "I’ve just returned from the hospital, where they confirmed that I have a displaced facial fracture on my cheekbone which could require surgery to fix, but we won’t know until the swelling has gone down.
"I’m genuinely scared to leave my front door unattended at the moment. I’m not a confrontational person. I try to see the good in everyone but this has honestly taken me aback.
"I’m a social worker and the injuries I have sustained mean that I am going to need to take a lot of time off work."
Her boyfriend was also allegedly beaten and placed in a headlock while being forced to watch Ellen being attacked. It is thought Ellen was attacked after the group mistakenly identified her as someone who had attacked a family member of the group.
Ellen's mum shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook in a bid to track down those involved. Sharing pictures of her daughter's face, Cassandra Jayne wrote: “We are looking for any witnesses to help the police with their investigation.
“Ellen was viciously attacked while out for her birthday with friends. She was punched in the face by a grown man and knocked out cold to the ground.
“While she was on the ground unconscious, two females were kicking her about the head and face. As shown she has sustained serious injuries to her face and head.
“The perpetrators thought she had apparently ‘battered their wee sister’ and so did this to her. Ellen’s boyfriend was held back in a headlock and also repeatedly punched in the face.
“If anyone has any information or seen anything please get in touch. We think that there will be CCTV footage but it would be helpful if someone had seen what happened too. Ellen is very brave to allow sharing of these images and try to stop these vile people from doing this to anyone else."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers received reports of two people being assaulted in the Ingliston area of Edinburgh at around 12.15am on Sunday, 21 August, 2022.
“A 23-year-old woman and 24-year-old man attended hospital for treatment and were subsequently discharged.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
A spokesperson for G4S, who ran the security at the event, said: "We are aware of an isolated incident at the event, and we are working with Police Scotland to support their investigations."
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