A violent attacker loitered outside a busy leisure centre in Maryhill before assaulting a man inside.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 36-year-old man was assaulted in the reception area Maryhill Leisure Centre on Thursday November 15.

The victim was leaving the centre around 10.40am with his partner when they noticed a man running towards them on Gairbraid Avenue.

They were then chased back into the reception area where the man was assaulted before suspect made off on foot onto Gairbraid Avenue, heading west.

Emergency services were called to the scene and the man was taken to the Glasgow Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment where his condition is described as stable.

Investigations have revealed that the man was loitering around the Gairbraid Avenue area for around half an hour before the incident.

The suspect is described as a white, late 20’s to mid 30’s, stocky muscular build, wearing a black Puffa Style Jacket, black jogging bottoms and a purple skip hat.

Detective Constable Andrew Barbour from Maryhill CID: “This appears to have been a targeted attack on the victim and extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish a motive and trace the man responsible.

“We understand that the suspect was loitering around the Gairbraid Avenue area for around half an hour prior to the incident and there were also a number of members of the public in the reception of the leisure centre when the attack took place.

“I am appealing to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to please come forward. In particular I would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the assault within the leisure centre or who may have noticed the suspect hanging around beforehand. I would also ask any drivers who were in the area to review their dash cams to see if they have captured the suspect or anything which could be of significance.

“Anyone with Information is asked to contact Maryhill CID via 101, quoting reference number 1066 of the 15 of November 2018. Alternatively, please call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”