A PENSIONER and her son were beaten up by a gang outside their own home.
A police probe is underway after James Baillie, 41, and his 64-year-old mother Edith were assaulted following a confrontation with a group of people on Tuesday.
James sustained a serious head injury and the attack on him is being treat as attempted murder.
He is in a critical condition in Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride. His mother sustained serious injuries to her arm, head and face.
Detectives are treating the attack on Edith as a serious assault and were last nightguarding her two-bedroomd house in Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
Stunned neighbours said the attack had shocked the area. One said: "The elderly lady has lived in this street since the house was built.
"She is a respected and nice lady, but generally keeps herself to herself. Her son, who lives there with her is generally pleasant too and says hello to everyone."
Another said: "Everyone is really shocked, no one can believe this has happened on their door step."
Police are carrying out door-to-door inquiries and have appealed for witnesses.
Detective Chief Inspector Pat Campbell of Lanarkshire Division CID said: "We're carrying out door to door enquiries but I'd like to further this by appealing directly to the wider public for their assistance."
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