Man who violently raped teenage girl at Edinburgh music festival jailed

A man has been jailed for nine years after he violently raped a teenage girl during a music festival in Edinburgh.

James Leckie met the 16-year-old, who travelled from Dundee, at the Fly festival in Princes Street Gardens on September 16, 2023.

The then 25-year-old led the girl into a wooded area where he began shouting, swearing and making threats of violence.

He 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 in the trees and were able to intervene and lead the distressed victim away to safety.

The teen suffered 48 separate injuries following the ordeal. As Leckie was being detained by officers, he made derogatory and misogynistic remarks about women.

On November 19, 2025, the sex attacker was found guilty of attacking the teenager and of threatening and abusive behaviour towards two officers, which included racist and homophobic comments.

On December 18, Leckie was jailed for nine years.

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.”