Criminal Record: Edinburgh 'knife attack' victims speak out and Irvine teen 'stabbed'

Two students who were stabbed in a terrifying anti-Muslim knife attack have spoken out about the heartbreak of their ordeal. The young men, both aged 22, were left with serious injuries in the incident which took place at Sighthill Park in Edinburgh at around 8:50pm on June 19, moments after they had left evening prayers at a city mosque.

The students, who arrived in the capital from India to study masters degrees just four weeks ago, say they are now too scared to leave their homes after the horror incident. One suffered seven stab wounds across his body and face and required 35 stitches, while the other sustained five stab wounds and needed 17 stitches. Battling with their trauma, they told how they have now been left unable to sleep, eat, or speak to loved ones.

One of the students, who asked not to be named, said: "It's hard to comprehend what happened. Coming to Scotland is the worst decision I have ever made."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the attack appeared to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. Lewis Hawkes, 36, has since appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with five counts of attempted murder aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection. Three other men aged 24, 27, and 29 were also later injured in incidents in the Telford Road and Leith Walk areas of the city.

In a separate incident, a teenager has been rushed to hospital after a suspected stabbing during an alleged brawl in Irvine. Around 8:40pm on Friday, emergency services responded to a report of a group of youths causing a disturbance on the High Street. A 17-year-old male youth was seriously assaulted and was taken to hospital for treatment. Two males aged 15 and 16 have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident and will be reported to the relevant authorities in due course.