Shopkeeper slashed by man who had been hiding in bushes

The shopkeeper was attacked while putting out rubbish

A shopkeeper has been slashed outside a South Lanarkshire convenience store by a man who was seen on CCTV hiding in nearby bushes for at least two hours.

The incident happened on Coalburn Road in the village of Coalburn at about 08:50 on Sunday.

The 53-year-old man was putting out rubbish when he was approached and slashed with a bladed weapon by the attacker who ran off towards Dunn Crescent. The shopkeeper is in a stable condition at Wishaw General Hospital.

Police have appealed for witnesses to what they believe was a targeted attack.

The suspect has been described as being about 6ft (1.8m) tall, of slim build and was wearing black jogging bottoms, a black North Face hooded top with white writing, a black snood, white trainers and orange gloves.

'Nasty attack'

Det Con Alison Geal said: "From our inquiries so far, we believe this attack to be totally unprovoked but that the person who was attacked was the target of the suspect.

"Officers have been checking CCTV from the area and we know that the man had been hiding in nearby bushes and to the side of the shop for at least two hours before the shopkeeper emerged from the store.

"We have a limited description of the suspect as the hood of his jacket and snood he was wearing covered almost the whole of his face."

She described it as a "nasty attack".

"There appears to have been no attempt by the suspect to enter the store," she added.

"The shop is in the middle of a residential area overlooked by numerous homes.

"Officers are in the area, but we'd appeal to anyone who may have doorbell footage, or dashcam, to contact police.

"We believe the suspect knows the area. He may be local."