Footballer jailed for raping woman who let him charge phone in her house

A footballer who raped a good Samaritan in her own home has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Niall Geany, 19, preyed upon the woman in the bedroom of the property in Edinburgh on March 3, 2024.

Geany – who most recently played for lower league outfit Spartans – had shared a taxi with his victim after a night out with friends.

Geany found himself “stranded” near the woman’s house and she invited him in to charge his mobile phone so he could arrange transport home.

The right-back, of Kirkliston, near Edinburgh, attempted sexual contact with her despite knowing she had a boyfriend.

A court was told the woman had “expressed no romance” towards him.

The woman repeatedly told Geany “no” as he continued the attack upon her.

Geany later stated in his police interview that she told him to “stop.”

However, Geany proceeded to struggle with his victim and raped her, which later left her injured.

After the incident, witnesses reported that the woman was “visibly distressed” and there was a change in her demeanour.

Geany was found guilty after trial of rape to injury and was sentenced on Tuesday at the High Court in Glasgow.

When jailing Geany, Judge Alistair Watson said: “She allowed you in her home and she placed trust in you that night.

“You clearly committed the crime of rape.

“The victim impact statement details the massive impact your criminal conduct has had on her.

“You have to understand the harm you have caused continues to affect her now and will continue physically and mentally.

“The degree of harm you caused is particularly high.

“I have to acknowledge the serious harm caused to your victim and the gravity of the forcible and violent rape committed in the face of her struggles and protests.

“I have to acknowledge the aggravation that this took place in her bedroom in a place she should feel safe and be safe.”

The judge stated that he had regard to Geany’s “high intelligence”, and “low risk of re-offending”.

Judge Watson went on to say that he believes Geany can be “rehabilitated and go on to lead a pro-social life”.

He said: “Standing your youth in particular, I am exceptionally going to impose a shorter period of custody for a crime of this nature.”

The sentencing was told that Geany will initially serve his sentence in a young offenders’ institute before he is transferred to prison.

When the sentencing was announced, a man in the public gallery shouted: “Yes.”

The judge also put Geany on the sex offenders register and granted a non-harassment order, which prohibits his contact with the victim for an indefinite period.

Richard Souter, defending, earlier told the sentencing that his client was “exceptional” in academic sporting terms.

The lawyer stated: “This is the type of offence that will have caused harm and I acknowledge that.

“Clearly the court will be considering custody.”