Rapist who violently raped teenage girl in Edinburgh 'may never be released'
The attack took place on York Place in Edinburgh’s New Town last year
An Edinburgh man who threatened a teenage girl with a knife before violently raping her in a basement flat could spend the rest of his life behind bars, a judge has said.
Aaron Strachan was handed a minimum prison term of five years when he appeared at Edinburgh’s High Court today but was told by a judge that he may never be released.
The 21-year-old was told during his sentencing that his attack on the 15-year-old girl, which took place in York Place on May 25 last year, was “the stuff of nightmares for every woman and every young girl, and every parent who waits at home for their child to return home safely”.
The court heard that Strachan approached the young girl as she waited at a bus stop in the early hours of the morning.
The teenager walked away towards the direction of Princes Street where other members of the public were present but Strachan, who was wearing a balaclava, followed her from a distance.
He then ran towards her at a second bus stop while armed with a knife and forcibly led her to the basement of a building on York Place.
Strachan then blocked the door with wooden pallets the stop the teenage girl from escaping before raping her.
Judge Michael O’Grady KC said: “The word predatory is perhaps overused in these courts, but it is an inescapable adjective to describe this truly bestial crime.
“You left your lair and went out hunting for a vulnerable victim.
“Finding one, you stalked her, threatened her at knifepoint and took her to a dingy basement and raped her.”
He added that he was in no doubt that as the 21-year-old “dragged her along the street she knew what was about to befall her”.
On the same day, Strachan also repeatedly stabbed a man in an unprovoked attack in the South Bridge area. The victim was left with two wounds on his right hand.
He also attacked another man with a hammer in High Riggs three days later on May 28.
In this incident, the victim was left “semi-conscious” on the ground and suffering seizures. He was later found to have “catastrophic” injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
Strachan admitted to multiple offences during a hearing in December 2025.
He had been due to be sentenced earlier this year but escaped custody while being led from the Court of Session to a prison van after a hearing in January.
The event sparked a huge manhunt for Strachan, who was eventually recaptured in the city a few hours later.
Sentencing Strachan at the High Court today, Judge O’Grady imposed an order for lifelong restriction on Strachan with a minimum prison sentence of five years.
However, the judge told the him that he may never be released due to the risk he poses to the public.
He noted Strachan’s “concerning” criminal record with 18 previous court appearances in relation to 38 separate charges, eight of which included possession of weapons.
The judge added: “[These] provide a clear picture of a young man with no boundaries, who is out of control and has ready resort to potentially lethal violence.”
After being handed the lifelong restriction order, which is an indeterminate sentence imposed until the offender is deemed no longer a risk to the public, Judge O’Grady told Strachan: “You are likely to remain in prison for many years, if indeed you are ever released”.
Strachan’s lawyer Simon Collins told the court that Strachan accepted that his actions were “extremely serious offences”.
He added: “The inevitable outcome of the offences of this seriousness is that he is facing an extremely lengthy period in custody.”
Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “Aaron Strachan’s actions in abducting his victim before raping her were calculated, predatory, and caused profound harm.
“Although this type of stranger offending is rare, this conviction reflects the gravity of his crimes and the commitment of prosecutors and police to bring him to justice.
“Sexual violence and the use of weapons to intimidate and harm have no place in our society.
“We will continue to take action against perpetrators while supporting victims throughout the prosecution process.”