Watch the moment man jailed for ‘bestial’ rape of 15-year-old girl escapes court

Watch the moment a man jailed for the “bestial” rape of a 15-year-old girl in Edinburgh attempts to escape justice by bolting while being led to a prison van.

Aaron Strachan, 21, was told he may never be released from prison following his brutal assault and attacks on two others at the High Court in the Scottish capital today.

He pleaded guilty to rape and two assaults on December 4 2025, and on Monday pleaded guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The 21-year-old was sentenced to a minimum of five years with an order for lifelong restriction (OLR), where a parole board will determine if he is ever safe to be released.

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Strachan, who remained handcuffed to security officers throughout the hearing, was due to be sentenced earlier this year but his brazen escape delayed proceedings.

The court was shown footage of the attempt, which showed him slipping his cuffs and sprinting off while being led from the Court of Session to a waiting prison van.

Strachan, clad in a red top, could be seen “yanking” his hands free from two guards escorting him and speeding in the direction of the Royal Mile.

A major police search was launched, and he was recaptured in the city a few hours later.

Strachan’s lawyer Simon Collins told the court it had been “a moment of impulsiveness” on his client's part.

He said the 21-year-old had noticed the handcuffs linking him to a security guard were “not tight enough to prevent him from removing his hand”.

Mr Collins told the court his client’s actions were “extremely serious offences”, adding: “I accept that, and Aaron Strachan accepts that.”

“The inevitable outcome of the offences of this seriousness is that he is facing an extremely lengthy period in custody.”

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Judge Michael O’Grady KC told Strachan his actions on May 25 were “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 word predatory is perhaps overused in these courts, but it is an inescapable adjective to describe this truly bestial crime.

“You are likely to remain in prison for many years, if indeed you are ever released,” he said, adding he was “entirely satisfied” the 21-year-old met the criteria for a lifelong restriction order.

Judge O’Grady also described the “unprovoked” attacks on two other “virtual strangers”.

One occurred on the day of the rape, where the victim was left with two knife wounds to his right hand.

The second just days later on May 28, which saw the 21-year-old strike his victim on the head with a metal hammer.

The judge also laid out Strachan’s “concerning” criminal record, telling him he had appeared in court on 18 previous occasions in relation to 38 separate charges, eight of which involved possession of weapons.

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… We will continue to take action against perpetrators while supporting victims throughout the prosecution process.”

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