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
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. However, 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