WARNING: This article contains images some may find distressing.
An 18-year-old British soldier was allegedly abducted, burned, seriously beaten and slashed multiple times on the body and face on a ‘Tinder date’.
Cobhan Mclelland, who is based In Edinburgh, had agreed to meet up with a woman in the early hours of Sunday (21 March) morning after matching on the dating site Tinder.
However, when he arrived at the property where he thought he was meeting his date, he was allegedly ‘abducted’ by a man who is said to have assaulted him, refusing to let him leave.
After reports of a disturbance, police officers visited the address and the teenager, who resides at Dreghorn Barracks in Colinton, was rushed to a high dependency unit due to the severity of the injuries.
A 19-year-old man, Dylan Rigby, was arrested at the scene of the incident.
The accused Rigby appeared at court earlier this week charged with abduction, assault to severe injury, danger of life, and attempted murder.
No plea or declaration was made.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence confirmed that Cobhan was being treated for his injuries and that police were investigating the incidents.
They said: “We can confirm that there was an incident involving a serviceman and a civilian in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“The serviceman was taken to hospital and police are investigating the incident.”
a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers were called to an address in Kidlaw Close, Edinburgh, at around 6.05am on Sunday, 21 March following a disturbance within a property.
“Specialist officers attended and the incident was concluded safely at around 8.05am.
“An 18-year-old man was taken to hospital after being assaulted, and a second man, also aged 19, has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
“He was due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 22 March, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
A Go Fund Me page has been set up by the young soldier’s mother with the hopes of helping to pay for the treatment.
The description reads: “Cobhan experienced life changing trauma, he has severe burns, knife slashes to his face, stab wounds, broken bones.
“The trauma and pain that occurred that night is terrifying, Cobhan is currently in hospital and is needing specialist care for both his wounds and burns.
“The trauma experienced that night will change Cobhan’s life forever, a once funny, humorous boy, full of life is now scared to close his eyes and sleep at night.
“Our Son/Grandson/Brother has the kindest soul so we’re devastated to see the pain which he is in. Cobhan will now live with scars to last a lifetime, both mentally and physically.
“To help Cobhan, he is going to need counselling and lots of therapy.
“Although we are so lucky that Cobhan is still alive and here with us today, we’re also in great pain knowing the long road ahead of us.
“We’re aiming to raise money to help towards any therapy which Cobhan may need as there is a very high chance Cobhan may suffer with PTSD from this horrible event.”
You can find the link to the Go Fund Me page here – https://www.gofundme.com/f/cobhans-road-to-recovery
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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