Judge jails rapist 'with no remorse' for attacks on schoolgirl and three women

A rapist who subjected a schoolgirl and three women to sexual, physical and psychological abuse has been jailed for nine and a half years.

Jamie Wilson preyed on the women and the 14-year-old girl during a catalogue of crimes perpetrated against victims in Edinburgh and Midlothian.

Wilson from Edinburgh, began his offending in November 2015 and it continued until July 2022, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.

The 34-year-old denied a series of charges at an earlier trial but was convicted of nine charges of sexual and physical assault, rape, threatening or abusive behaviour and breaching bail conditions.

The court heard that Wilson subjected one woman to rape in July 2022 at a flat in Edinburgh when he pinned her down.

Wilson sexually assaulted a 14-year-old at a different address in the city in November 2015 while she was asleep before continuing his attack after she woke up.

In 2017, he attacked a woman at a house in Newtongrange, in Midlothian, in a life-endangering assault when he grabbed her by the throat, forced her against a wall and restricted her breathing. He also repeatedly punched her in the face and threw her to the floor.

Wilson committed a further assault to the danger of another woman’s life in 2022 at a flat in Edinburgh when he punched her and choked her, pinning her against a window and a wall.

A judge told the sex offender that the jury convicted him of “a sustained course of violent and sexual offending towards vulnerable women”.

Judge Michael O’Grady KC said: “Your behaviour has shown total contempt for them and for women in general.”

The judge said he acted as “a bully and coward” and added: “You have shown no insight, not a hint of remorse and not a flicker of emotion.”

He made non-harassment orders prohibiting Wilson from contacting or attempting to contact victims for an indefinite period.

The judge also ordered that Wilson should be under supervision for a further five years when he will be on licence in the community, but can be returned to prison if he breaches its conditions.

Defence counsel Michael Meehan KC said that Wilson has previous convictions for violence, but was still “relatively young” and there was a degree of hope for his rehabilitation.

Wilson was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Police Scotland detective inspector Keith Taylor said: “Wilson now faces the consequences of a campaign of violent and sexual attacks on women spanning a significant period of time.

“I commend the strength of the women involved in coming forward to report his offending and throughout the legal proceedings. I hope the conviction and sentencing will bring them justice as they continue to move forward with their lives.

“Anyone who has been a victim of violent or sexual abuse is urged to report it to us, regardless of when it happened. We’re committed to fully investigating all reports and victims are supported throughout by our specially trained officers and partner agencies.”