Social worker beaten unconscious while celebrating her birthday in ‘mistaken identity attack’

A Scottish social worker has been left with horrific injuries after she was battered unconscious by a vicious gang at a music show.

Ellen Clarkson, 23, from Broxburn, West Lothian, was celebrating her birthday with pals when she said she was knocked her out with one punch by a man at the Australian DJ Hot Dub Time Machine gig at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh on Sunday 21 August.

While lying on the ground Ellen claims she was then savagely punched and kicked to the head and face by two women during the assault in the early hours of Sunday.

Ellen has been left with severe bruising, a displaced facial fracture that could require surgery and a possible broken nose, jaw and cheekbone.

Her partner Cameron Hunter, 24, was also said to have been attacked by the gang and suffered facial injuries after being punched and placed in a headlock.

Ellen believes the attack may have been a case of mistaken identity and took to social media to blast the security and organisation of the music event.

Police Scotland has now launched an investigation and said ‘enquiries are ongoing’. 

Scottish social worker Ellen Clarkson, 23 (pictured), from Broxburn, West Lothian, has been left with horrific injuries after she was battered unconscious by a vicious gang at a Hot Dub Time Machine gig at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh on Sunday 21 August

Ellen, pictured, was celebrating her birthday with pals when she said she was knocked her out with one punch by a man. While lying on the ground Ellen claims she was then savagely punched and kicked to the head and face by two women during the assault

Ellen said she is ‘feeling quite tender and sore’: I would like to add my disappointment in the organisation of the event. There were no police organised [to attend], following the attack we were advised to call 101 and report the crime.

‘The attackers were simply let go without any details taken.

‘To add to this I was told while in welfare I may have a broken jaw, cheek bone and nose however there were also no ambulances organised to attend the event and we were asked if ‘my lift home’ could take us to the hospital.

‘My brother was then phoned at 1am and was asked to take us to hospital as no ambulances were available.

‘After giving descriptions of the attackers to stewards, they confirmed they were aware of these people earlier in the night and were even searched.

‘They were not at this point asked to leave and were allowed to continue their night within Hot Dub causing two further altercations between myself and friends.’

Ellen’s mother Cassandra Jayne posted images of her daughter’s injuries on social media and appealed for information in a bid to help catch those responsible.

Ellen has been left with severe bruising, a displaced facial fracture that could require surgery and a possible broken nose, jaw and cheekbone

Her partner Cameron Hunter, 24, pictured, was also said to have been attacked by the gang and suffered facial injuries after being punched and placed in a headlock

She said: ‘Ellen Carkson, my daughter, was viciously attacked at the Hot Dub event while out for her birthday with friends.

‘She was punched in the face by a grown man and knocked out cold to the ground.

‘While she was on the ground unconscious, two females were kicking her about the head and face. She has sustained serious injuries to her face and head.

‘The perpetrators thought she had apparently “battered their wee sister” and so did this to her.

‘Ellen’s boyfriend Cameron was held back in a headlock and also repeatedly punched in the face.’

A Police Scotland spokesperson said in a statement: ‘Officers received reports of two people being assaulted in the Ingliston area of Edinburgh at around 3.40pm on Sunday, 21 August, 2022.

‘A 23-year-old woman and 24-year-old man attended hospital for treatment and were subsequently discharged. Enquiries are ongoing.’

MailOnline have contacted Police Scotland for comment and an update on enquiries.