Knife attack on Law Society man

Police said the assault had left a number of stab wounds

A senior Law Society official is recovering after a frenzied knife attack outside his home in Edinburgh.

Leslie Cumming, 62, fought off the masked attacker as he was about to enter his home in Murrayfield Drive on Monday afternoon.

Mr Cumming, a chief accountant of the Law Society of Scotland for 26 years, was stabbed several times in the body and received cuts to his face.

He is in a stable condition in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The attacker ran off towards Ormidale Terrace and the Roseburn area.

He was described as being in his 20s, of stocky build and was wearing dark clothing and a dark balaclava.

Police are appealing for help to trace the attacker.

It was fortunate that he was able to fight off his attacker or the consequences may have been far worse A police spokesman

A statement issued by the society said: "The best wishes of colleagues and friends at the Law Society of Scotland are with Leslie Cumming, the society's chief accountant and his family.

"Leslie Cumming was attacked yesterday. Thankfully his injuries are not serious and he is already making a good recovery.

"The society is in touch with the police but has no information at this stage about the attack or any reason for it."

Police said they were not yet sure if it was a random attack or if Mr Cumming may have known the assailant.

A police spokesman said: "This was an extremely frenzied assault which has left the victim with many cuts to his face and stab wounds.

"It was fortunate that he was able to fight off his attacker or the consequences may have been far worse."