A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder over the stabbing of a woman in Stirling – in a case which sparked Scotland’s first minister to warn against “unhelpful speculation” amid social media hysteria relating to the attack.

A 21-year-old woman was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital for treatment to a stab wound following an incident in Stirling’s King Street at around 8.20pm on Saturday.

Police Scotland described the injury as “non-life threatening”.

In the wake of the attack, social media reports suggested that three people had been stabbed and the attacker appeared to be Muslim.

The rumour was also promoted online by far-right activist Tommy Robinson and came amid unrest across England and in Belfast following the murders of three young girls in Southport last week.

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In an unusual move by Police Scotland, the force announced the suspect they had arrested and charged was white and local to the Stirling area.

Chief Inspector Liam Harman said: “We are aware of speculation and false information circulating on social media regarding this incident. I would urge people not to add to this speculation.”

John Swinney also stated it was an isolated incident with “no wider threat to the public”.

The first minister added: “I would encourage everyone to refrain from unhelpful speculation on social media.”

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Suspect Callum Fisher, 29, has been charged with assault to severe injury and attempted murder.

He has also been accused of having a blade in a public place.

Fisher, from Stirling, made no plea to the two separate charges when he appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

He was remanded in custody and is due back in the dock within the next eight days.

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