VYTAUTAS MELINAUSKAS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON IN MORAY FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY

In July 2014, a Moray man named Vytautas Melinauskas was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping a 13-year-old schoolgirl. The court heard that Melinauskas, described as a loner, had tricked a girl he knew into consuming vodka before assaulting her. During the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, the 43-year-old Lithuanian attempted to shift blame onto his victim, claiming she had led him on. However, the jury rejected this defense and also found him guilty of engaging in a sexual act with another teenage girl.

Judge Lord Burns stated that it was evident the rape had left a significant emotional impact on the girl. The court was told that Melinauskas had purchased alcohol from a local shop and then invited two girls, aged 13 and 15, to his residence in New Elgin in September 2012. The judge explained: “Then you proceeded to rape one girl and engage in sexual activity with the other, knowing both of them were very drunk and aware of their young ages. It must have been quite clear to you that they were quite incapable of making any decision, yet you maintained, and still maintain, that they were the instigators of these events.”

A background report indicated that Melinauskas posed “some considerable degree of risk,” which would usually warrant a supervision order upon release. However, the judge explained the only reason such an order was not imposed was because Melinauskas was set to be deported after serving his sentence. Despite this, he will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

During the court proceedings, defence lawyer Bill Adam described Melinauskas as “a rather lonely man” who sometimes drank excessively. He added that Melinauskas had been living and working in Scotland for several years. The offences occurred in September 2012. Mr. Adam stated: “He is genuinely sorry for the girls and for the distress that he has caused. He knows he was the adult. They were the children. He should have known better as far as the alcohol and everything else which followed was concerned.”

Melinauskas, of 7 Langstane Place, New Elgin, was also convicted of breaching licensing regulations by purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor. Furthermore, he was found guilty of raping the 13-year-old while she was unable to consent due to intoxication. Although he was also convicted of sexual activity with the older girl, the jury dismissed an accusation that she had been asleep because of alcohol consumption.