Man Jailed for Nine Years for Rape at Edinburgh Music Festival

A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of raping a teenager at an Edinburgh music festival. The attack occurred at the Fly festival, held in Princes Street Gardens in September of last year.

James Leckie, of Musselburgh, was found guilty of the assault, which left the 16-year-old victim with 48 separate injuries. The court was told that Leckie, then 25, led the girl into a wooded area where he threatened her with violence before the rape took place. The two had not previously met.

During the trial, which concluded last month, police officers testified that Leckie made derogatory comments about women while in custody. Leckie denied the charges, claiming the encounter was consensual, but the jury rejected his defense.

The assault occurred shortly after Leckie and the teenager met at the festival on September 16, 2023. The girl, who had traveled from Dundee with friends, had been drinking. After meeting Leckie, he initially kissed her, but his behavior then turned violent. He grabbed her by the hair and throat before raping her. The victim managed to escape, but Leckie chased and continued the attack.

Security staff at the event noticed a disturbance in the wooded area and intervened, taking the distressed teenager to safety.

Judge Thomas Welsh KC, addressing Leckie, stated that he had acted in a predatory manner, taking advantage of a vulnerable teenager, adding that the harm he had inflicted was incalculable.

Leckie, who claimed he had also been drinking, alleged that the girl had approached him and consented to sexual activity. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. forensic evidence supported the teenager's account of the events.

In addition to the rape conviction, Leckie was also found guilty of threatening and abusive behavior towards two police officers, including making racist and homophobic remarks.

Leckie's defense lawyer, David Taylor, said his client was devastated by the verdict. In addition to the nine-year prison sentence, Leckie's name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. The court also granted a non-harassment order, prohibiting Leckie from contacting or attempting to contact the victim.

Faye Cook, the procurator fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, commented on the case: "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."