Former TA soldier jailed for Leith OAP blade attacks

By Paul Thornton

A SCHIZOPHRENIC ex paratrooper has been jailed for an unprovoked knife attack on two pensioners during broad daylight in a busy street in Edinburgh.

The random assaults on two OAPs aged 79 and 82 happened within minutes of each other in Easter Road in Leith on February 4.

Francis McGeachie, 82, was left with a 15cm slash and will be scarred for the rest of her life while 79-year-old Elizabeth Essien is now afraid to go outside on her own and now forced to take taxis everywhere.

Man held over OAP ‘double attack’

By Paul Thornton

A MAN has been held on remand over claims he tried to murder an elderly man after an alleged double attack on two pensioners last week.

Robert Murphy, 38, is charged with the attempted murder of 83-year-old Francis McGeachie in one of the two incidents on Wednesday, February 4.

It is claimed Murphy, of Edinburgh, attacked the man with a knife causing him severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Murphy is also charged with assaulting 76-year-old Elizabeth Essien during the alleged attacks which happened within five minutes of each other in the capital’s Easter Road.

He faces a third charge of possession of a knife in a public place.

Murphy appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where he made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody for further examination.