EDINBURGH SERIAL RAPIST DAVID REID FACES LIFETIME SENTENCE AFTER HORRIFIC ATTACK
In December 2018, a man with a long and disturbing history of sexual offenses, David Reid, was brought before the High Court in Aberdeen to face justice for a brutal assault on a vulnerable woman in Edinburgh.Reid, whose criminal record stretches back over four decades, was accused of committing a heinous sex attack that left a 63-year-old woman traumatized and physically injured.
Reid, who is unemployed, arrived at the woman's residence in Edinburgh early in the morning, around 8 am.
He was visibly intoxicated, clutching a bottle of whisky, and appeared at her doorstep uninvited.
The woman, who uses a stick due to arthritis, was expecting a delivery that day when she answered her door and was confronted by Reid.
According to court reports, Reid asked her if she wanted a drink, but when she declined, his demeanor quickly shifted to one of aggression.
He pulled a knife from his pocket, brandished it threateningly, and demanded compliance.
In a terrifying sequence of events, Reid grabbed the woman by the throat, causing her to sob and panic.
He forcibly kissed her on the lips and snarled threatening words, including, “If you don’t shut up I’ll slit your throat.” The woman was then forced to the ground inside her hallway, where Reid threatened to sexually assault her before ultimately raping her in a bedroom within her home.
During the assault, Reid inquired if she had any appointments that day, to which she responded she planned to visit her mother.
Reid ominously replied, “You won’t see your mum today… you have to do everything I say.” Throughout the ordeal, the woman was crying and repeatedly asked Reid why he was doing this.
Despite her pleas, Reid continued his assault until she managed to break free and run out into the street, screaming for help.
Neighbors, hearing her cries, quickly responded and intervened, providing her with immediate assistance.
The victim was found to have sustained extensive bruising on her neck, face, left arm, and lower back, along with scratches on her neck, indicating the severity of her injuries.
Reid, aged 59, was subsequently arrested and pleaded guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault causing injury and danger to life.
The incident occurred on October 30 of the previous year at an address in Edinburgh.
The court was informed that previous risk assessment reports ordered for Reid had not yet been completed, prompting the judge, Lord Clark, to adjourn sentencing until March 5, 2019, at the High Court in Glasgow.
Reid was remanded in custody pending the outcome of these assessments, with the court emphasizing the seriousness of his long-standing criminal history.
Reid’s criminal record includes convictions dating back to 1978, with offenses such as having sex with a girl aged between 13 and 16, attempted rape, and multiple rapes and attempted rapes in subsequent years.
His past convictions also include breaches of the Sexual Offences Act, notably failing to comply with notification requirements.
The court highlighted his history of sex offenses, which spanned from 1978 to 2016, underscoring the potential risk he poses to the public.
The case remains ongoing as authorities await the comprehensive risk assessment to determine the appropriate sentence, which could include a lifelong restriction order.
