Army officer who violently raped a woman in her Edinburgh home has his prison sentence increased

Calum MacGregor was jailed for four years and six months in February 2025 after previously being found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) asked the Appeal Court to consider imposing a longer custodial term due to the serious nature of the offence.

The original sentence has now been quashed after the appeal was upheld by a panel of three judges. MacGregor will now serve six years and six months in custody.

While sentence is rightfully the domain of the independent judiciary, the balance of justice is served by the Crown being allowed to appeal in limited circumstances. The Appeal Court has set a high test to be satisfied that this can happen.

Calum MacGregor was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh.

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The sentence must be unduly lenient, meaning it falls outside the range of sentences which the judge could reasonably have considered appropriate having taken account of all relevant factors.

Laura Buchan, Deputy Crown Agent, said: “Prosecutors have a responsibility to consider appeals based upon undue leniency in sentencing. Such appeals are rare.

“Today’s decision to increase Calum MacGregor’s sentence for rape provides public reassurance that the impact of sexual offences on victims will be acknowledged by those in the criminal justice system."

MacGregor, 30, met the victim on a dating app before going on to sexually assault and rape her in Edinburgh in December 2021. He was found guilty by a jury following three days of evidence. His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.