CY SULLIVAN FROM SHETLAND FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE IN EDINBURGH

A Shetland diver named Cy Sullivan, 26, has been convicted of raping a heavily intoxicated woman over seven years ago in Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh. The court heard that Sullivan left his victim, who was naked from the waist down and appeared terrified and confused, in the cemetery. Sullivan was identified through DNA evidence collected in October 2015 after he was arrested for assaulting a bouncer.

The 42-year-old woman recounted her experience, saying: "What has happened to me is a living nightmare." She explained that she traveled from her home in the Highlands to attend a conference in Edinburgh and had decided to visit Greyfriars Bobby’s grave. She admitted to consuming at least eight glasses of wine and said that a police officer who saw her hours later at around 5am described her as intoxicated.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Sullivan denied the charges of rape, asserting that any intimacy was consensual. However, after two days of deliberation, the jury found him guilty of raping the woman on November 27, 2009, when she was intoxicated and unable to give consent.

The court was told that two police officers spotted the woman at railings inside the graveyard, appearing under the influence. She was taken to Gayfield police station, examined by medical professionals, and a DNA sample was obtained.

Prosecutor Ian Wallace questioned the victim, asking: "Do you remember leaving Greyfriars pub?" The woman responded through tears: "No. I remember coming round in the graveyard and there was a police lady. I was frozen and I was disoriented. I tried for some time to find my way out. It was like something happened and I had just come round. It was awful. I just felt awful, embarrassed. I had no clothing on my bottom half."

She further told the jurors she had no memory of what transpired after leaving the pub until police found her. When asked if she remembered anyone having sex with her, she said: "No." When Mr. Wallace inquired if she had wanted to have sex that night, she firmly replied: "Definitely not."

The court was informed that, at the time, there was no match for the DNA discovered on her body. However, in October 2015, following Sullivan’s arrest on assault charges and the collection of his DNA, a match was made.

Sullivan claimed in court that he had bought the woman a drink and that they later had sex. He insisted she appeared sober to him and was not drunk. Sullivan appeared in court using crutches and a wheelchair, explaining that he was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two weeks prior. His lawyer, David Nicolson, said: "Just after Christmas, he experienced trouble with his right eye and balance. On the 12th of May, he received the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis."

Judge Rita Rae ordered Sullivan to be remanded in custody and placed on the sex offenders register. She emphasized the seriousness of the charge, stating: "Rape is one of the most serious charges we have to deal with in these courts and has long-lasting effects on women."

The judge also read an impact statement from the victim, where she described her ordeal as "a living nightmare," and noted that she is still suffering emotionally. Lady Rae deferred sentencing until next month to obtain further background reports. Sullivan is currently living in Burnbank, Lerwick, Shetland.