What follows is a Police Scotland press release issued yesterday afternoon. We reprint it in full and unedited.
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Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man in his 20s was seriously assaulted as he waited for a bus on the North Bridge.
The incident occurred at around 3:30am on Wednesday, May 4th, at a bus stop nearest to the junction with the Royal Mile on the east side pavement.
A male approached the victim and assaulted him in what appears to be an unprovoked attack. The suspect is described as white, average build, around 5ft 9ins tall, aged between 25-30 years old and had short dark spiked hair. He was wearing a black leather jacket, dark blue jeans, white t-shirt and had a scar down the left side of his face.
He was in the company of another man who is described as white, between 20-25 years old, stocky build, tattoo on his left arm, light coloured short hair wearing black jeans and a maroon t-shirt.
They were last seen walking towards Princes Street before being lost from view.
The victim sustained serious facial injuries and required medical attention at the Royal Infirmary before being discharged.
Local officers are now carrying out various lines of inquiry in an effort to trace the suspect and are appealing for the assistance of the public to help identify him.
Detective Constable Iain Wallace who is based in Gayfield police station said: "This was a violent and unprovoked attack against an innocent member of the public who had been enjoying a night out.
"Although the incident itself happened during the early hours I'm hopeful that someone may have witnessed what happened or may have seen the suspect.
"Attacks of this nature are thankfully rare but we take a zero tolerance approach towards anyone who engages in this sort of offence.
"We are working hard to trace the suspect as soon as possible and I urge anyone with relevant information to please contact police."
Those with information that can assist with the ongoing police investigation are asked to contact 101 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.