A SIKH teenager had his hair cut and was kicked and punched to the ground in a terrifying attack by racist yobs.

The 15-year-old Edinburgh boy was on his way to see relatives when four white teenagers attacked him in Pilrig Park, near to Pilrig Park School.

According to their religion Sikh men are not even allowed to trim their hair, but during the attack the thugs cut off the Asian youngster's long hair with a knife.

The assault also caused his bandana, which the yobs may have been mistaken for a turban, to fall off.

The boy was walking towards the Balfour Place entrance of the park when the gang began to shout racist abuse at him.

He carried on walking but the youths set on him, punching and kicking him to the ground.

The victim also suffered bruising and swelling to his nose and both cheeks, and soreness to his left shoulder and ribs.

After the attack, which took place at 7.30pm, the teenagers fled across the park into Pilrig Street, and on towards Leith Walk. [Link]