Police hunt for balaclava thugs who left Bankie cyclist scarred for life
By Bill Heaney
Dunbartonshire detectives are hunting two thugs in balaclavas who attacked a teenager on his bike in Clydebank, knocked him to the ground and stabbed him.
Police in Clydebank are appealing for information and for witnesses to come forward following a serious assault in which a 19-year-old man was injured.
The teenager was cycling on West Thompson Street when he was approached by the two men who caused him to fall to the ground.
A police spokesperson said: “He was then seriously assaulted with a small bladed weapon. The men then ran off in an unknown direction.”
The cyclist made his way home and was taken by a family member to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley for treatment to facial, arm and hand injuries. Police were then made aware of the incident by medical staff.
He remains in hospital where staff describe his condition as stable.
The men involved in the attack are described as wearing black balaclavas and dark clothing. One of the men was wearing a black Berghaus fleece top.
Officers are continuing inquiries, including speaking to local residents and checking available CCTV in an effort to trace the two men responsible.
Detective Constable Adam McCreery is dealing with this incident.
He said: “This was a very frightening incident for the young man concerned who has received injuries which will leave him scarred for life.
“We are still trying to establish a motive for this serious assault however we would appeal to anyone in the area of West Thompson 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.
“I would urge anyone who may have any information to contact me or one of my colleagues at Clydebank Police Station via 101, quoting incident number 0068. Alternatively, any information can be passed in confidence to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111.”