SERIAL RAPIST JAILED FOR ATTACKS ON UNDERAGE GIRLS
Bradley Booth, aged 22, has been sentenced to six years in prison for a series of serious sexual offences involving young girls in Edinburgh and East Lothian.The conviction stems from an extensive pattern of predatory behavior that began when Booth was just 16 years old and continued for nearly three years, targeting vulnerable children and adolescents.
The offences included the rape of three different girls and multiple cases of having underage sexual encounters with others.
According to the proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh, Booth’s criminal activities first surfaced in October 2016, with an incident involving the indecent assault of a 13-year-old girl in the Niddrie area.
The court detailed that the victim, who was intoxicated and seeking help after being left alone, was physically lifted off the ground by Booth before he molested her.
A further escalation occurred in 2017 when Booth forcibly raped a 14-year-old girl at an address in Niddrie after removing her lower clothing.
During this period, Booth also communicated with another 14-year-old girl via Snapchat, sending her sexualized messages and requesting nude photographs, despite claiming not to have known her or ever having been in contact with her.
Throughout 2018, Booth engaged in multiple acts of underage sexual activity, including having sex with a 14-year-old girl at two different flats in Edinburgh.
During this time, he also made contact with a 15-year-old girl through social media, which ultimately led to him raping her at a house in Haddington, East Lothian.
Booth later claimed that he believed the girl was around his age because she mentioned she had a “free house,” but she recounted that Booth had pushed her down and subjected her to a rape assault.
After the incident, the girl confided in her sister, who advised her to report what had happened to the police.
In addition, Booth admitted to having underage sex with another 14-year-old girl in Edinburgh during 2018, which he said was arranged through an online platform.
He insisted that he had never met the girl directly.
Furthermore, in 2019, he contacted another 15-year-old girl via social media, sending her explicit messages and persuading her to send a picture of her bottom.
He also claimed to believe she was older, around 16 or 17.
Despite his claims, Booth had sex with the girl and later raped her after she expressed discomfort and said no.
The court also heard that Booth had sent indecent messages and explicit pictures to a 13-year-old girl, asking her to send images of herself.
Throughout these investigations, Booth maintained his innocence and continued to deny the allegations.
During the trial, defence solicitor James Keegan QC emphasized that Booth is currently on antidepressant medication and has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
The judge, Lord Tyre, acknowledged Booth’s lack of previous criminal history and considered the guidelines relevant to young offenders when determining his sentence.
Still, he emphasized the severity of the offences, especially the three counts of rape involving girls under 16, noting that such crimes can have lasting and devastating impacts on victims.
Lord Tyre also underscored that the victims, aged between 13 and 15, were particularly vulnerable and susceptible to exploitation.
He concluded that the sentence would have been longer if Booth had been an adult offender, but he took into account his age and background when handing down the six-year sentence.
Booth, formerly residing on Northfield Drive in Edinburgh, will also be subject to an indefinite term on the sex offenders' register, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.
