Thugs break 15-year-old girl's jaw and assault dad

May 4 2008 By John Mceachran

Daughter's Jaw Broken

A TEENAGE girl's jaw was broken by a gang of youths after her dad confronted them outside their home.

The 34-year-old dad was smashed on the head with a bottle and his 15-year-old daughter attacked around 5am yesterday.

The dad thought the group of young thugs were damaging his car outside his home in Quarrybank, Edinburgh, He went outside and was joined by his daughter and 35-year-old wife who were verbally abused by the three males and two females.

The girl was struck on the side of the face - leaving her with a broken jaw and causing a tooth to puncture her cheek.

Last night Detective Constable Alan Bow, who is heading the police investigation, slammed the cowardly attack and appealed for information on the attackers.

He said: "It is outrageous when people are disturbed in their homes and subjected to this kind of attack in the street in the early hours.

"We need to trace the culprits quickly so that they can answer for their actions.

"I appeal to anyone with information which could help trace those responsible for this attack to contact us."

Yesterday neighbours told how it was the second incident involving gangs within a few hours in the street in the Wester Hailes area of the city. One mum said: "There were police all over the place late on Friday night because something was going on.

"I looked out and there were several cars with their flashing blue lights on and the officers were talking to youths."

Another woman neighbour said: "I heard the commotion late on Saturday night but I was asleep at 5am and didn't know anything about it."

Yesterday morning's attack happened after the family were woken by the gang.

Fearing his car was about to be damaged, the dad asked the gang to move on but the noise woke his daughter who came down to find out what was going on.

DC Bow added: "They were verbally abused by the gang - thought to consist of three male and two female youths.

"The girl was attacked and struck on the side of the face.

"The father was struck on the head with what he believes was a bottle."

The father, who suffered a four-inch cut to the side of his head, was released from hospital after treatment.

The girl was yesterday being treated at St John's Hospital in Livingston.

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