Police ScotlandA man has been jailed for nine years for raping a teenager at a music festival in Edinburgh.
James Leckie, 28, inflicted 48 separate injuries on the girl at the Fly event in Princes Street Gardens in September 2023.
A court heard how Leckie, who was 25 at the time, led the 16-year-old into a wooded area where he made threats of violence then raped her. He had never met her before.
He was convicted at a trial last month, which heard testimony from police officers about how he made derogatory remarks about women while being detained.
Faye Cook, procurator fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “The prosecution presented compelling evidence that proved this man’s guilt and exposed the deeply misogynistic views he holds.
“James Leckie has been held accountable for subjecting this young woman to an opportunistic and predatory attack at a busy music festival.
“She had every right to be safe while enjoying a night out with friends but instead endured a harrowing ordeal at the hands of this rapist.”
Leckie denied his guilt throughout the trial, but his defence of consent was rejected by jurors.
The court heard how Leckie, of Musselburgh, attacked the girl shortly after meeting her at the festival on 16 September 2023.
The teenager had travelled to the event from Dundee with a group of friends and had been drinking.
She met Leckie who initially kissed her but then turned violent. He seized her by the hair and throat before raping her.
The girl managed to escape but was chased and caught by Leckie who continued the attack.
Event security staff became aware of a disturbance in the trees and were able to intervene and lead the distressed victim away to safety.
‘Incalculable harm’
Judge Thomas Welsh KC said: “You were convicted on the basis that you acted in a predatory manner and took advantage of a vulnerable teenager.
“The harm you have done is incalculable. “
First offender Leckie, who said he had also been drinking, claimed he had been approached by the girl and she consented to sex.
But forensic evidence corroborated the teenager’s account of events.
Leckie was also convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour towards two officers, which included racist and homophobic comments.
Defence lawyer David Taylor said Leckie was “devastated” by the verdict.
He was jailed for nine years and his name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.
A non-harassment order, banning Leckie from contacting or attempting to contact the victim, was also granted.
