attackers still sought

DETECTIVES ARE still hunting for the three youths who knocked a disabled pensioner off his scooter in a park in Dunfermline last week.

The police say they are convinced the youngsters live locally and have followed a number of leads.

They have also traced and spoken to a man seen walking his collie dog in the park after putting out an appeal for him to come forward.

Police launched the hunt for the thugs following the incident, which left 87-year-old Hope Cairns, from Dunfermline, lying helpless on the ground.

The attack in Rex Park shocked many in the Fife town and the police are hoping that sense of outrage could help lead them to the children involved.

Uniformed officers have already carried out door-to-door inquiries and extra high visibility foot patrols were also mounted in the Woodmill area.

Sergeant Ian Flynn told The Courier yesterday, “Our inquiries are continuing.

“We are still looking for some good spirited member of the public to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of the youths involved.”

Despite feeling sore from the fall, Mr Cairns refused to let the tearaways ruin his life and was back out and about with his wife Jean the following day.

The attack happened on Wednesday, August 1 as he set off to take the couple’s dogs Murphy and Ludo out for a walk.

Mr Cairns gave the police a description of his attackers, all of whom are thought to be between 12 and 15.

One of them had dark curly hair and was wearing a green, striped top.

There were few details about the other two, but one of them appeared to be taller than his friends, by about as much as a foot.

Sgt Flynn urged anyone who thinks they know who the youths are, or who witnessed the incident, to contact police on 01592 251111, or via the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.