A Scottish social worker who was attacked by strangers at an Edinburgh Fringe event and beaten black and blue has become afraid to leave the house.
Around 1.15am on Sunday, August 21, Broxburn resident Ellen Clarkson was assaulted at the Hot Dub Time Machine performance at the Royal Highland Centre outside of the city. The 23-year-old claims that while out with friends celebrating her birthday, she was attacked by an older man and several women.
Two women are accused of kicking Ellen in the face and head after the man, who is thought to be in his 30s, reportedly hit Ellen in the face and knocked her out. Ellen revealed shocking photos of her bruised and swollen face.
Ellen stated the following to Edinburgh Live: “I just got back from the hospital, where they verified that I have a displaced facial fracture on my cheekbone. We won’t know the extent of the fracture until the swelling has subsided, but it may require surgery.
“I’m currently too afraid to leave my front door unattended. I don’t like to argue with people. Even though I try to find the good in everyone, this has honestly surprised me.
I work as a social worker, and I will need to take a lot of time off work due to my injuries.
While being made to watch Ellen being abused, her boyfriend is also said to have been battered and put in a headlock. It is believed that Ellen was attacked as a result of the gang mistaking her for someone who had harmed a member of the group’s family.
To find those responsible, Ellen’s mother made a tragic post on Facebook. Cassandra Jayne posted images of her daughter’s face and stated: “We are searching for any witnesses to aid 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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