Police are investigating an attack on a Church of Scotland minister on Christmas Day.
The Rev Gordon MacKenzie, 60, was set upon by three youths as he took a walk in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. The youths attacked the minister from behind and kicked and punched him as he lay on the ground, according to The Scotsman newspaper.
He had travelled from Brodie, Forres, to spend Christmas with his wife, Sheila, who is receiving treatment in Glasgow following a stroke in the summer, and his daughter Sarah.
“I was walking past three young men in their late teens or early twenties, one of whom went to relieve himself in the street,” recalled Rev MacKenzie.
“As I passed he made a comment, but I ignored him and kept on walking. The next thing I knew he had attacked me from behind and at least one of the other two had joined in.
"I was beaten about the head and body and knocked to the ground. Then I was kicked and punched as I lay."
The trio inflicted a number of injuries to Rev MacKenzie’s hand, face and body, including a suspected broken nose, before running away.
Rev MacKenzie was able to get to Bellshill police station and officers took him to Wishaw General Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
He expressed his shock at the attack.
"I had nothing stolen, so it wasn't something which was motivated by robbery,” he was quoted as saying by The Sun.
"I think they wanted to beat somebody up and I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"It's even more shocking because it was Christmas Day and I just don't understand it.
"Some people cannot seem to express themselves except through violence."
MSP Michael McMahon condemned the attack.
"In any circumstances, it is not acceptable that people cannot walk the streets of our towns in safety,” he said, according to The Sun.
"But for a man of the cloth not to be able to walk safely on our streets is deplorable.
"There is a lot of good work being done in Bellshill by the police and community organisations, especially among young people, to create a better impression of Bellshill.
"For something like that to happen is despicable and it is deplorable that young people's reputation are tarnished by the minority."
Police are investigating and anyone with information on the assault has been urged to contact the Bellshill police office on 01698 202 400.
