Police are hunting a gang of masked men who stormed a house in a Perthshire village and left a teenager badly beaten.
The male needed hospital treatment after the midnight attack at a property in Mill Street, Stanley.
His attackers fled after neighbours raised the alarm, and were seen hurdling across back gardens to a waiting getaway car.
A major police investigation is now under way. Uniformed officers were stationed at the front and back of the bungalow through the night.
The assault happened in the early hours of Thursday. CID investigators are carrying out door-to-door enquiries in the village and have appealed for any witnesses to get in touch.
They are also checking CCTV across the local area in an effort to trace the vehicle.
Forensics teams were at the house on Friday afternoon, photographing locations including the back garden.
The victim, who police said was found on the street, is recovering at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where doctors described his condition as stable.
One resident said: “It seemed to be some kind of home invasion.
“There were about three or four men who rushed into the house. They all had masks hiding their faces, like balaclavas. It must have been terrifying.”
Police probe launched after teen found injured in Perthshire village
He said: “They were only there for a short time, then they ran out through the back door.
“They were jumping over walls and fences to get away. They got into a car that was waiting for them at the end of the street and they sped off.”
Neighbours said the car was waiting on nearby Sheilhill Place.
Another local said: “I don’t know anything about the young man, but I heard he was badly beaten.
“The police have been at the house all day and all through the night.”
Police were called after neighbours reported a loud “ruckus” and raised voices at the property.
A force spokeswoman said: “We received a report of a man found inured on Mill Street, Stanley, around 12am on Thursday.
“The (teenager) was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where his condition has been described as stable. Inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.”
