Man Hurt In Attack Victim Of 'Mistaken Identity'

8 February 2016, 18:37 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A young man left with a serious eye injury in an attack by a group of men may have been the victim of mistaken identity, police said.

The 23-year-old was assaulted by four or five men as he walked with friends in Victoria Road, near to Maybank Lane, Queen's Park, Glasgow, at around 1.30pm on Sunday.

He was kicked and punched in the attack and was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment to a serious eye injury.

The victim was walking to a nearby pub to board a Celtic supporters' bus but police said he was not wearing any colours and there is "nothing to suggest'' it was a football-related attack.

Police believe the attackers may have thought he was someone else

The group police are trying to trace are all white and were wearing dark tracksuits and hooded tops.

Detective Constable Jennifer Adams said: "The injured man and his friends were heading to a nearby pub to get on a supporters' bus when he was attacked.

"At this time, there is nothing to suggest that the incident was football related. The buses weren't targeted and the young man wasn't wearing colours. Indeed, from our investigations so far, it is possible that the four or five men picked him believing he was someone else, however, this has still to be confirmed.

"Supporters from the buses outside the pub came to the man's aid but the men responsible made off - as did the buses - prior to police arrival. So, I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened or where the suspects came from or ran off to, to contact police.

"Officers are checking CCTV and had been speaking to local businesses but we need either those on the buses or who were in the area to get in touch.

"Anyone with information can contact officers at Cathcart Police Office via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.''