CRAIG SMART PERTH TATTOO ARTIST SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND INDECENT ACTS IN EDINBURGH

A man identified as Craig Smart, a tattoo artist based in Perth, has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after being convicted of serious sexual offenses committed in the city. The court heard that Smart, aged 36, targeted two women during a span of nine months in 2017, with the incidents taking place at a property located in the heart of Perth.

The High Court in Edinburgh was informed of the details surrounding the first assault, which occurred on January 17, 2017. The victim, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, was attacked by Smart, who forcibly restrained her on a bed. During this assault, he raped her. The court was told that after the initial attack, Smart further escalated his violence by grabbing her throat and hair, and then raping her again. The victim, now 31 years old, endured a terrifying ordeal that left her deeply traumatized.

Later that same year, on September 14, 2017, Smart's misconduct continued when he exposed himself in front of another woman and performed a sexual act on himself in her presence. These disturbing acts prompted the victims to eventually come forward and report the incidents to the police, after summoning the courage to speak out about their experiences.

Following a thorough investigation, Smart was arrested and brought before the court. During the sentencing hearing, Lady Scott, the presiding judge, addressed Smart via a video link from prison. She sentenced him to a term of four years and two months in prison. Although the maximum sentence for his crimes could have been five years, the judge took into account the time Smart had already spent in custody, which effectively reduced his overall sentence.

In her remarks, Lady Scott emphasized the severity of the offenses, describing the first victim as “scared” and “terrified” by Smart’s actions. She underscored the importance of custodial punishment for such serious crimes and highlighted the need for Smart to reflect on his attitudes and behavior towards women. The judge also recommended that Smart participate in rehabilitative programs available within the prison system to address his conduct.

Smart, who resides on Abbot Road in Stirling, was previously convicted of rape and sexual assault following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March 2021. The court had deferred sentencing at that time to gather reports on his character. During the trial, prosecutor Peter Ferguson QC presented sufficient evidence to establish Smart’s guilt, urging the jury to find him guilty of the charges.

At the time of the offenses, Smart was employed as part of a team of tattoo artists at Inkredible Kreations, located on Canal Street in Perth. His defense lawyer, John Scullion QC, acknowledged that Smart had experienced a difficult childhood but also described him as a hardworking businessman. The lawyer accepted that custody was inevitable, given the gravity of the crimes committed.