Violent predator who raped teenager in horror attack at Edinburgh music festival jailed
A violent predator who raped a teenage girl at an Edinburgh music festival in the city centre has been jailed.
James Leckie, 28, carried out the horror attack, which left the 16-year-old victim with 48 injuries, at a music festival in Princes Street Gardens on September 16, 2023.
He was today sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of attacking the teenager at the High Court in Edinburgh in November.
The court heard how Leckie, from Musselburgh, attacked the 16-year-old girl after meeting her at the music festival.
Leckie, who was 25 at the time, led the girl into a wooded area where he began shouting, swearing and making violent threats. He then seized her by the hair and throat before raping her. The girl managed to escape but was chased and caught by Leckie who continued the attack.
Event security staff became aware of a disturbance and were able to intervene and lead the distressed victim away to safety. Forensic evidence presented by the prosecution corroborated the teenager’s account of events.
The court also heard testimony from police officers, who reported that Leckie made derogatory and misogynistic remarks about women while being detained. Leckie was also convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour towards two officers, which included racist and homophobic comments.
On December 18 at the High Court in Edinburgh, Leckie was sentenced to nearly a decade behind bars and his name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. A non-harassment order, banning Leckie from contacting or attempting to contact the victim, was also granted.
Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “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.
“The prosecution presented compelling evidence that proved this man's guilt and exposed the deeply misogynistic views he holds about women. COPFS recognises the serious harm that violence and abuse - driven by such attitudes - cause to individuals and society, and remains committed to taking action against those responsible.”