Bonnyrigg man who ignored teenager’s request not to have sex jailed for rape

Aaron Sloan (21) subjected a 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to a horrifying sexual assault sometime between March and June 2018.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Sloan met the young woman through the Snapchat social media network.

He then sexually assaulted her at a location in Bonnyrigg. Sloan also physically assaulted his victim.

Sloan, also of Bonnyrigg, denied any wrongdoing during proceedings at the court. But a jury found him guilty on charges of rape and physical assault.

During proceedings, prosecution lawyer Derick Nelson told jurors that there was enough evidence to show Sloan’s guilt.

In his closing speech today, Mr Nelson said: “There was a clear indication she did not want to have sex but he just ignored it.”

Following the jury’s verdict, Mr Nelson told judge Lord Uist that Sloan was a first offender.

He also handed Lord Uist’s clerk a copy of a statement from Sloan’s victim which detailed the impact that the accused’s actions has had on her life.

Defence advocate Tim Niven Smith told the court that his client knew a custodial sentence was inevitable.

Mr Niven Smith added: “He recognises the seriousness of the charges and realises that custody is inevitable.

“He is a first offender and as such the court has an obligation to obtain a Criminal Justice Social Work Report.”

Lord Uist remanded Sloan in custody and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register.

He told Sloan: “You have been convicted of the grave crime of rape as well as all the physical assaults.

“As you a first offender, I am required before I impose sentence to obtain a Criminal Justice Social Work Report.

“I shall adjourn this case for the purpose of obtaining such a report.”

Sloan was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register. He will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on December 8, 2020.