Cases

Man who confessed to raping woman during Youtube interview jailed

A rapist who attacked a sleeping woman before later confessing during a YouTube interview has been jailed.

Craig Strachan was found guilty on 2 July 2024 following a trial at the High Court in Livingston. 

The 33-year-old, who worked as a DJ, targeted the victim at an address in Edinburgh in 2013.  

He climbed into her bed uninvited and touched her on the body while she was asleep and unable to consent. 

After the woman woke up, Strachan raped her.  

During an online interview in 2022, he admitted attacking the victim when he was 21-years-old.  

On 15 October 2024, at the High Court in Stirling, Strachan was sentenced to six years imprisonment. 

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.  

A non-harassment order, banning Strachan from contacting or attempting to contact the victim, was granted for a period of 20 years.  

Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Katrina Parkes said:  

“Craig Strachan is a predatory individual who attacked the victim while she was sleeping.  

“This type of offending has no place in Scotland and prosecutors within COPFS are committed to pursuing justice for victims of such crimes.   

“I would encourage all victims or witnesses of similar offending to come forward, report their experiences and seek support. 

“You will be taken seriously, listened to, and we will use all the tools available to us to pursue justice.”