Tag: High Court

Man convicted following sexual assault during flight

A 45-year-old man who sexually assaulted a woman on an Easyjet flight from Naples to Edinburgh has been convicted.

Image shows a man. He has short dark grey hair and beard. He has tanned skin. He is wearing a grey jumper and looking directly at the camera.

Nicola Cristiano was found guilty of attempted rape following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. He will be sentenced at a later date.

He moved seats to be next to the woman during the flight that left Naples on Tuesday, 13 May, 2025. When he moved to another area of the plane she alerted cabin crew about what had happened and Cristiano was arrested when the flight landed at Edinburgh airport.

Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett, from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Cristiano will now face the consequences of his despicable actions and I hope this brings comfort to his victim.

“He deliberately approached a woman travelling alone on a flight and sexually assaulted her. Fortunately she had an opportunity to alert a member of the cabin crew and she was taken to another part of the plane where she was safe.

“I also hope this conviction gives confidence to anyone who is the victim of sexual crime to come forward. We will thoroughly investigate reports made to us and we have specially trained officers to provide support.

“Anyone wishing to report a sexual crime can do so via 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Man sentenced for sexual offences in Edinburgh and Aberdeen

On Thursday, 18 September, 2025, a 22-year-old man was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison for sexual offences at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Jack Reid was convicted on Tuesday, 12 August, 2025 of the offences which took place between 2017 and 2022 in Edinburgh and Aberdeen and involved a man, a woman and two children.

Detective Constable Sara Duncan said: “It’s difficult to comprehend the distress and suffering Reid caused those involved in this case. I hope today’s sentencing offers them some closure.

“He will now face the consequences of his actions in prison.

“If anyone is experiencing or has experienced any type of violence or sexual abuse, we have detectives dedicated to investigating such offences. Please report it and be assured you will be fully supported and listened to.”

Drug dealer jailed

A man has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison in relation to drugs offences in Edinburgh.

Ardit Mazrreku, 27, was sentenced today at the High Court for being concerned in drug dealing in the capital in September 2024.

On 19 September 2024, officers acting on intelligence, officers searched the property on Ratcliffe Terrace in the city during the morning of Wednesday, 25 September and recovered cannabis and cocaine with an estimated street value of £165,000.

Sergeant Mark Walker said: “Police Scotland is committed to removing illegal substances from our communities and we will take all measures to disrupt those involved in the drug trade.

“This arrest and conviction underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Recoveries such as this rely on information from people who do not tolerate the scourge of drugs in their neighbourhoods.

“Anyone with concerns about drugs in their community can contact us via 101, or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Man jailed for eight years for serious sexual assault in Edinburgh

A man has been jailed for the serious sexual assault of a teenage girl in Edinburgh. Valentin Tica, 24, was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 to eight years in prison, backdated to November 2023.

He previously pleaded guilty on Tuesday, 20 May, 2025. Tica was also given a non-harassment order for an indefinite period.

Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “Tica will now face the consequences of his despicable actions in prison.

“I would like to commend the victim for her strength during the investigation, and I hope today’s sentencing brings some sense of closure.

“We would encourage anyone who has experienced any form of violent or sexual offence, regardless of when it happened, to report it to us.

“We will investigate thoroughly and have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”

Man sentenced for explosive offences and possession of indecent images

An Edinburgh man has been sentenced to 44 months in prison for explosives offences and possession of incident images of children.

Ryan O’Donnell, 37 was sentenced yesterday, Wednesday, 12 February, 2025, at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Mixed powders, including potassium nitrate, were found at his home address in Edinburgh, as well as equipment that could be used to make homemade explosives.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years for possession of almost 1500 images of children.

Detective Sergeant Jordan Sharp said: “The substances O’Donnell possessed were dangerous and could have caused serious harm if they had been used.

“The unlicenced manufacturing of homemade explosives is illegal, irrespective of the intention, and places the public at risk.

“He will also face the consequences of his actions for possessing indecent images of children. Sexual exploitation is despicable, and we remain committed to protecting children.

“We have highly trained, specialist officers, across the country who can investigate such offences and, working with partners, ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Serial sex abuser jailed for 16 years

A 35-year-old man has been jailed for 16 years after subjecting numerous women to violent and sexual abuse.

Luke Ford was sentenced yesterday at the High Court in Edinburgh and will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

He is also the first person to be convicted of ‘stealthing’ in Scotland. He told women he was having sex with that he was using a condom when in fact he was deceiving them.

Luke Ford came to the attention of police in June 2020 after officers attended an address in Edinburgh following a report of an assault.

An investigation was subsequently launched with officers discovering Ford had targeted several other women over an extended period.

Through enquiries, officers meticulously built a case against him, and he was arrested and charged in February 2021.

In May 2023 he was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of numerous offences, including rape, attempted rape, multiple assaults and being in possession of extreme sexual abuse images.

Detective Inspector Steven Gray said: “Ford is a dangerous and manipulative sexual predator. I would like to acknowledge how hard this has been for those involved and to also tell them that their testimonies vastly contributed to Ford being convicted. I hope that knowing he is now behind bars for his crimes helps them continue to move forward with their lives.

“Anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or abuse should contact us. Please be assured that we will do everything we can to ensure we arrest the perpetrators of such crimes.”

Primrose Street murder: Two brothers convicted

Two men have been convicted following the death of a 59-year-old man in Leith.

The body of Garry O’Neill was found in a flat on Primrose Street on Tuesday, 6 June, 2023.

At the High Court in Edinburgh today – Monday, 9 September, 2024 – Jamie Boulton, aged 55, was found guilty of murder following the death of Mr O’Neill.

Nathan Boulton (above), aged 49, was found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

They will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait, senior investigating officer, said: “Our thoughts are with Mr O’Neill’s family and friends and we hope that the result in court brings them a degree of closure.

“This was a deliberate act that ended in a death and Jamie Boulton will now face the consequences of his actions that day.

“His brother Nathan Boulton, now faces justice after he tried to conceal what happened.

“We would like to thank the public for their assistance and support during our investigation.

“Violence is not acceptable in our society and Police Scotland will use all the tools it has to investigate and bring those intent on committing crime and harm in our communities to justice.”

Seven year sentence for serial Edinburgh child rapist

A 20-year-old man has been jailed for seven years in connection with a series of serious sexual offences in Edinburgh.

Sam Brown was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Monday, 2 September, 2024) for sexual offences, including the rape of four girls between March and December 2022.

He was previously was found guilty of seven charges on Tuesday, 30 July, following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

He was also issued with non-harassment orders against each of his victims indefinitely.

Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “Brown will now rightly face the consequences of his deplorable actions.

“I would like to commend the young women for their strength in coming forward during this investigation and helping us build a compelling case against him. I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure and allows them to move on from this horrendous ordeal.

“We are committed to creating a society where women and girls live free from violence, abuse, exploitation and harassment.

“If anyone is experiencing or has experienced any type of violence or sexual abuse, you are not alone, and we would encourage you to report it to us.

“You will be listened to and supported throughout the entire process by officers and our partner agencies, and together we will bring the perpetrator to justice.”

Two convicted in connection with rape and murder of a man

Two men have been convicted of the rape and murder of a 24-year-old man in Fife that happened in November 2021. 

Dylan Brister, aged 27, and Cameron Allan (pictured below), aged 20, were found guilty yesterday (Friday, 19 July, 2024), following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. They will be sentenced on a later date. 

The body of Calum Simpson was found within a property on Herriot Crescent in Methil on 3 November, 2021. 

He had been drugged and subjected to a serious sexual assault. Enquiries were carried out and the two men were arrested and charged in connection with the assault and his death. 

Detective Inspector Scott Roxburgh, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Our thoughts are very much with Calum’s family and friends and I hope that the conviction brings them some kind of closure. 

“This was a particularly horrific and sickening attack on a young man who died after being drugged and sexually attacked. Both men will now face the consequences of their actions. 

“I would like to thank officers who carried out enquiries as this was a complex and harrowing investigation. 

“Violence has no place in our communities and Police Scotland is committed to bringing those responsible for such crimes to justice.”

Nine years for serial domestic abuser

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of a series of domestic abuse offences in the Edinburgh area.

Brian Taylor, aged 54, committed these crimes over a period of 15 years.

He was previously found guilty of eight charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh and returned for sentencing yesterday – Thursday, 23 May, 2024.

Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper of the Edinburgh Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “Taylor is an abusive individual who showed no remorse for his violent and abusive behaviour.

“It is incredibly difficult for someone to confront their abuser and I would like to commend the women for their bravery in coming forward during the investigation. Their information was crucial in helping us build the case against him, and I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure.

“If anyone is experiencing, or has experienced domestic abuse, please do not hesitate to contact us directly or through one of our partner agencies.”