Teenager who raped girl in park detained for three years

A 16-year-old boy who has left the teenage girl he raped in a city park in a "constant state of fear and anxiety" has been detained for three years.

The youth, who is from the Edinburgh area but cannot be named due to his age, assaulted the 15-year-old at Joppa Quarry Park in Edinburgh on 22 August 2024.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the teenager, who was 14 at the time, attacked the girl after spending time messaging her.

The court heard that she had been anxious about starting a course at a college campus she was not familiar with so he offered to take her there to show her around.

However, he took her to a nearby park where he attacked her.

The youth was convicted of rape earlier this year but sentence was deferred for background reports.

At his sentencing, the judge told the teenage boy his offending was so serious that he would have to give him a custodial sentence.

Lord Harrower said the girl - who is anonymous but was given the name Sara in court - was "left badly shaken and distressed" by the incident, which lasted less than half an hour.

"I know that you have shown an understanding of the anger and distress of Sara's 'family and friends'," he told the youth.

"But it is important that you also understand the anger and distress caused to Sara herself.

"She has been in a constant state of fear and anxiety. She struggles to sleep. She is haunted by nightmares in which she sees your face. Simple things that once made her happy now make her panic."

He added: "She finds it difficult to trust others, particularly males. She does not feel safe when on her own. She is scared to go out, to go on buses, to go to school.

"She finds it difficult to concentrate on her studies. Her education has suffered. She feels angry, sad, stupid and tired."

He added: "The punishment must fit the crime."

During proceedings earlier this year, the court heard how the youth had said he wanted to go the park to vape.

The court heard that he had sat with "Sara" on a bench and she had felt "uneasy."

The boy waited for a dog walker to leave then raped her, leaving her with physical injuries and feeling badly shaken and distressed.

Defence advocate Gail Gianni said her client had an intellectual disability and maintained he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

Ms Gianni added: "His family are supportive of him."

Lord Harrower also told the youth that the young person's sentencing guidelines applied to him in the case, allowing a shorter sentence than an older man would receive.

He added: "It is clear to me that you come from a very supportive family.

"I am counting on them to continue to provide that support to you while you are being detained and when you are released."

The boy was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.