It was around 11pm on Sunday when Stuart Ritchie (40) of St Andrew's Drive answered the persistent ringing of his doorbell.

He was confronted by a stranger who mumbled something incoherent before trying to push his way into the property. The dad of two tried to close the door and the stranger kept pushing against it before taking out a bladed weapon and assaulting his victim.

Checking on the commotion his distraught wife Sharon found Stuart lying on the floor bleeding and began to scream for help from neighbours at which point the assailant ran off.

Mr Ritchie was taken to the Western Infirmary where for the first two days his condition remained serious but stable. He required stiches to his face and head and had to undergo an operation on his back as he damaged his shoulder trying to force the door closed on the attacker.
The couple only moved to Bearsden with their two daughters three months ago and neighbours are shocked at the ordeal they have been put through.

From their investigation, however, police believe the attack was mistaken identity and Inspector Bill Ross of Milngavie Police Office said: "I would urge residents not to feel anxious or unsafe in their homes. The perpetrator of this attack appeared to have been looking for someone specific, but whom he hadn't met so didn't know he had the wrong man.

"We don't want people to get the idea that if they live in Bearsden they run the risk of being faced with an attacker when they open their door."

Police also discounted reports that Mr Ritchie had been in an altercation with youths loitering near his home.

The assailant is described as being 20 to 30 years of age, 5ft 10ins tall, of heavy build with a distinctively large face, dark brown hair and wearing a dark jacket and dark blue jeans.

Police are now following a positive line of inquiry but have asked if anyone saw the man running off after the attack, or have other information, to contact DC Martin Davies at Kirkintilloch CID on 0141 532 4000.