AARON SLOAN FROM BONNYRIGG SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT IN EDINBURGH

A man named Aaron Sloan, aged 21, has been sentenced to prison after a jury found him guilty of raping a teenage girl. The incident took place in Bonnyrigg, where Sloan engaged in a sexual assault against a 16-year-old girl, who is legally protected from being named. The assault occurred sometime between March and June of 2018, during which Sloan also physically attacked his young victim.

Details of the case emerged during a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh. It was revealed that Sloan and the girl had initially connected through Snapchat, a popular social media platform. Their interaction escalated, leading Sloan to commit a serious sexual offence at a location in Bonnyrigg. The court heard that Sloan not only assaulted her sexually but also subjected her to physical violence during the incident.

Prosecutor Derick Nelson addressed the jury, emphasizing that the evidence presented was sufficient to establish Sloan’s guilt. In his closing remarks, Mr. Nelson pointed out that the victim had clearly indicated her unwillingness to engage in sexual activity, yet Sloan disregarded her protests and continued his assault. He highlighted the emotional and physical impact on the girl, referencing a statement from the victim that detailed how Sloan’s actions had profoundly affected her life.

Defense lawyer Tim Niven Smith acknowledged the gravity of the charges and conceded that Sloan was aware a custodial sentence was likely. He stated, “He recognises the seriousness of the charges and realises that custody is inevitable.” Mr. Niven Smith also noted that Sloan was a first-time offender and requested that the court obtain a Criminal Justice Social Work Report to assess his circumstances before sentencing.

Following the conviction, Lord Uist remanded Sloan into custody and ordered that he be placed on the Sex Offenders Register. Addressing Sloan directly, the judge stated, “You have been convicted of the grave crime of rape as well as all the physical assaults. As you a first offender, I am required before I impose sentence to obtain a Criminal Justice Social Work Report.” The court attached a sentencing statement to the proceedings, ensuring all legal protocols were followed in this serious case.