A 74-year-old woman has been left with black eyes after she was allegedly assaulted while walking near Levenhall Links.

Deborah Mather, from Musselburgh, was on the John Muir Way yesterday at about 2.15pm when she says she was hit in the face by a man who had "run away" from whom she described as his "support workers".

She said: “I walk there all the time and I have never had any issues. When I was walking I saw the man, a really big man, coming towards me shouting. He was making lots of noises and I moved to get out the way. But he hit me on the face and I fell to the ground.

“Two other people came running behind him and they said they were his support workers. But they had no ID or any control over him. It was very frightening.

“The two weren’t very apologetic either. They said sorry but just left straight away. One asked, ‘Should I help you up?’ which just seemed rude.

“I’m quite robust, I don’t let things bother me, but this was frightening and I don’t want others to experience the same thing.

“I understand the person may have had some issues, but his support workers should be keeping in control.”

The incident, which took place near the car park at Levenhall, was reported to police and Mrs Mather, who has Parkinson's disease, said she expected a visit from them on Monday. She was able to walk home afterwards.

Mrs Mather's husband Robin said the pair had come forward as they "wanted to warn others in order to prevent someone else being attacked".

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of a possible assault on a woman on a pathway between Prestonpans and Musselburgh on Thursday, 18 April, 2024. Enquiries are at an early stage."