A Moray woman attacked while walking home alone at night believes only the arrival of police during the assault prevented her from receiving more serious injuries.
Lorna Buchanan was left with blood streaming down the side of her face after being hauled to the pavement in Keith.
The 30-year-old, who lives in the town, had been returning home from celebrating a friend’s birthday.
But as she made her way down Station Road near Regent Square two men punched and headbutted her.
Last night Ms Buchanan said she was only spared the prospect of a more sustained beating by the appearance of the two officers.
She said: “They were both coming at me and I had my hands up to try to push them away.
“One of them headbutted me, grabbed me by the hair and pulled me to the ground.
“I was screaming so loud. A neighbour heard it all happening and called the police.
“The police came round the corner and that was it, it was over.
“If they hadn’t come round when they did then I don’t know what would have happened – I would have been in a lot worse shape.
“I’m so grateful to them.”
Police took Ms Buchanan, who sells make-up from her home, to hospital in Keith for emergency treatment.
Medics cleaned blood from her face and glued shut a one-inch cut to her eye.
She has also been left with several “bumps” on her head sustained during the attack and bruises on her face.
Yesterday Ms Buchanan praised the caring response from police in helping her receive the medical attention she needed.
She said: “They were brilliant, so nice, and made sure that I got home all right.”
Keith and Cullen councillor Theresa Coull was pleased to learn about the quick response from officers to the scene.
She said: “It’s absolutely brilliant that they got there so quick and are making their presence known in the town.
“We don’t have many incidents like that in Keith but it’s good to know that there’s a presence there for when it’s needed.
“Fortunately we live in a part of the country where these kinds of thing are rare and don’t happen often.”
The attack happened on Station Road near Regent Square at about 12.30am on Sunday.
A police spokeswoman said: “The assault has been reported to us and inquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with information should contact police by phoning 101.