EDINBURGH STUDENT FELIX BECK SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AND VILE TEXTS
In January 2019, Felix Beck, a student at Edinburgh University, was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for a severe sexual assault on an 18-year-old woman.The incident took place in Edinburgh, where Beck, known for his privileged background and active social media presence, carried out a brutal attack on the young woman, who was a recent university entrant.
According to court proceedings, Beck used the dating app Tinder to connect with his victim.
After exchanging sexually explicit messages, the woman agreed to meet him at her university halls of residence.
She described their initial encounter as consensual, with both engaging in kissing, and she explicitly told Beck to take control because she did not want to feel awkward.
She also mentioned her inexperience and nervousness, noting that Beck appeared confident and experienced, as he was a second-year student known for his social exploits.
During their time together, the woman recounted that Beck performed a sex act on her.
However, she became distressed when he grabbed her around the neck and dug his fingers into her skin.
She told him to stop, expressing her discomfort, but Beck did not heed her pleas.
She clarified that she had not asked for choking or biting, and she did not consent to being choked or bitten during the encounter.
The situation escalated when Beck began choking her, causing her to fear for her safety, and she told him to calm down to prevent further escalation.
Following the assault, a university lecturer observed bruising around her neck and noted her distress.
The victim later revealed that she had invited Beck into her residence, and during their interaction, he attempted to strangle her and forced her into a sexual act.
She described feeling scared and overwhelmed, especially as Beck's behavior became increasingly aggressive.
Beck, 22, of Old Infirmary Lane in Edinburgh, claimed that the woman had asked to be spanked and inquired if he would like to choke her, suggesting a consensual role-play scenario.
However, the jury found him guilty of sexual assault by penetration, specifically for the attack in October 2016 in Edinburgh.
The court dismissed an earlier allegation of oral rape from the charges but cleared him of two other rape accusations related to previous encounters.
During sentencing, Lord Uist emphasized Beck’s privileged background and his status as a fourth-year student.
The judge condemned Beck’s sense of sexual entitlement and arrogance, highlighting the callousness of his actions both during and after the assault.
He noted that Beck’s treatment of his victim was disgraceful and that the crime was grave, warranting a custodial sentence.
Beck was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
The judge pointed out that Beck’s lifestyle and attitude contributed directly to his criminal behavior, and he stressed the importance of protecting women and punishing sexual crimes to uphold public safety.
