Man who attempted to rape woman on EasyJet flight jailed | UK | News
Nicola Cristiano was imprisoned (Image: PA)
A man who tried to rape a woman on an EasyJet flight from Naples to Edinburgh has been sentenced to six years in prison. Nicola Cristiano, 45, carried out the attack after sliding seats next to his victim during a late evening flight on May 13, 2025.
The Italian national repeatedly grabbed the woman by the hand and neck to force her to touch his exposed groin area, and semen was later found on the woman’s cheek and lip. The man, who was in Edinburgh on a business trip, also tried to kiss his victim and touch her breast and body.
Read more: Thugs behind £1m raid that led to tragic suicide of shop worker have now been jailed
Read more: Teenager charged with murder after university student stabbed
Once he moved to another part of the plane, the woman alerted the cabin crew to what was happening and Cristiano was arrested when the plane landed at Edinburgh Airport.
He was found guilty of attempted rape following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh last month.
Sentencing him at the same court on Friday, Judge Alison Stirling, referring to a victim impact statement submitted to the court, told Cristiano: “The complainant says the attack left a lasting impact on his sense of security and control. He no longer feels comfortable flying and traveling alone. He had planned another holiday this year but no longer wants to go ahead with it.”
The judge said: “It was particularly damaging for him that the incident took place in a public setting surrounded by other people, even though he felt completely alone. He feels it will always have a lasting impact on him.”
The judge told Cristiano that he did not accept the guilty verdict from the criminal justice social work report.
He continued: “Given the seriousness of the crime, the only appropriate punishment is custody. The justifications for punishment include punishment, expressing community concern and disapproval of your crime, protection of society, and rehabilitation in custody.”
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and advertising from us and our partners. You can check out whenever you want. Read our Privacy Policy
He also told him that he would be deported to Italy after serving his sentence and would be subject to reporting obligations for an “indefinite period”.
Cristiano, who appeared in court wearing a black-and-gold bomber jacket and jeans and followed the hearing through an Italian translator, did not show any reaction during the sentencing.
Earlier, Cristiano’s lawyer, Jim Stephenson, told the court that his client acknowledged the complainant, “said ‘no’ several times and took her hand and placed it on his penis”.
He continued: “However, Mr. Cristiano still maintains his innocence regarding the most serious parts of the accusation.”
Speaking after Cristiano was sentenced last month, Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett, of Police Scotland’s public protection unit, said: “Cristiano will now face the consequences of his despicable actions and I hope this will bring comfort to his victim.
“He deliberately approached a woman traveling alone on the plane and sexually assaulted her. Fortunately, the woman had the opportunity to warn the cabin crew and was taken to another part of the plane where it was safe.
“I also hope that this conviction will give anyone who has been a victim of a sexual crime the confidence to come forward. We will thoroughly investigate reports we receive and we have specially trained officers who will provide support. Anyone wishing to report a sexual offense can do so by calling 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
