An Angus war veteran has been mugged in a “cowardly” Remembrance weekend attack.
The 82-year-old was the victim of a night-time Carnoustie assault as he waited on a bus to go to the town’s British legion branch on Friday.
Detectives are now hunting those responsible for what has been condemned as a “barbaric” incident, with two youths believed to be responsible.
The octogenarian was shaken but not badly hurt as his assailants made off with just a few pounds in the 9pm incident.
A passing van driver saw the stunned pensioner in the immediate aftermath of the Barry Road attack and took him to the town Legion, where shocked members immediately called police.
Carnoustie Legion chairman Lindsay Martin said the victim is a popular regular at the branch and members were appalled when they heard what had happened.
“As Legion members we are absolutely shocked that one of our senior members has been attacked in such a barbaric way by a couple of cowardly young people,” said Mr Martin.
“The van driver brought him along to the Legion and someone said he had been mugged and had a mark on his face.
“When we found out what had happened we dialled 999 straight away and the police response was very quick indeed. I was very impressed with the way they handled the whole thing.
“But I dread to think what would have happened if the van driver had not come upon the scene and although we don’t know who he is we are also very grateful to him.”
Mr Martin continued: “This incident was the topic of conversation among everyone I spoke to in the town at the weekend and people are just disgusted that those folk could attack a man of that age.
“We’ve never heard of something like that happening to someone that age in Carnoustie before, it’s just awful at any time, let alone on this particular weekend.
Anyone with information which might assist with police inquiries should contact 101.