Pensioner left with fractured shoulder in 'shocking' attack
The pensioner was unable to fend off the attacker, who fractured the OAP's right shoulder, as well as inflicting cuts to his head and right hand.
The attack was today branded "shocking" and "beyond belief" as appeals were made to help catch the man responsible in case he strikes again.
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Hide AdAfter the suspect fled the home, the man's neighbour called the police, who raced to the scene following the incident at 10:10pm on Thursday.
The victim was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment and officers said the pensioner had been left traumatised.
Detectives are working to establish if the assault was the result of a break-in which went wrong, or whether the victim had been randomly or deliberately targeted. The pensioner has been unable to give officers a description of the assailant.
Local councillor Ian Perry said: "It's shocking that somebody is not safe in their own home.
"Unfortunately there are some very disturbed people who seem to get pleasure out of such acts. It's disgraceful and really beyond belief that an elderly man could be attacked like this. I don't know if this would've helped in this case, but people with elderly neighbours can help protect them by being vigilant."
Police today appealed for people who saw anyone acting suspiciously around Peffermill Road to get in touch.
A police spokesman said: "This attack has left an elderly man with painful injuries and was all the more distressing given that it occurred within his own home.
"We are eager to speak to anyone in or around the area who saw or heard anything suspicious.
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Hide Ad"Similarly, anyone with information that can help us locate the person responsible for this assault should also come forward."
Anyone with any information can contact police on 0131-311 3131, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.