A LAWYER who has been left scarred for life after a slashing outside Glasgow Sheriff Court was targeted.

City detectives said that the 63-year-old Glasgow solicitor was the intended target of the callous attack which happened outside one of Europe's busiest courts.

The victim was walking with a colleague on Carlton Place in the Gorbals area of the city at around 6.30pm on Thursday when a man approached him from behind and attacked him with a bladed weapon.

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The knife-thug then made his getaway in a white coloured saloon car and sped off down Carlton Place, onto South Portland Street and in the direction of Ballater Street.

Emergency services attended, and the lawyer was taken by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment to a significant number of injuries to his face and body. He has since underwent surgery and medical staff describe his condition as serious but stable.

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The suspect is described as white, aged around 30 years old, of skinny build, around 5ft 10 to 6ft in height and of gaunt appearance. He was also wearing a grey hoodie.

Officers working on the investigation are carrying out door-to-door enquiries and checking all available CCTV in an effort to identify the man responsible.

Detective Inspector John Morrison, who is leading on this investigation, said: "This was frankly a terrifying incident for the victim who was simply walking with his colleague when he was attacked. Our enquiries so far have revealed that the victim was the intended target, therefore this was not carried out at random. Nevertheless, it does not make it any less serious. The victim sustained very serious injuries in the attack and as a result, he will be left scarred for life.

"It is important that we trace the person responsible as soon as possible. He is dangerous and must be caught. We are following up enquiries in relation to the car he used and have seized CCTV from the area, which is being studied by my team of detectives. Indiscriminate acts of violence such as this will not be tolerated. We would ask that anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or who may have any information which could assist with our enquiries to contact police as a matter of urgency."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101, quoting reference number 3320 of 19th July 2018.

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