Nicola Cristiano moved seats to sit near his victim who was only able to alert members of the cabin crew to what was going on after he moved to another part of the plane
A man has been found guilty of attempted rape after a “despicable” crime on an easyJet flight against a lone female passenger.
Nicola Cristiano moved seats to sit near his victim while on a flight from Naples to Edinburgh before carrying out the sickening attack.
The 45-year-old was found guilty of attempted rape on Friday, December 9 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
He preyed upon the lone woman during the flight from the popular Italian city on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, switching seats so he could be next to her.
It wasn’t until Cristiano moved to another section of the plane that his victim was able to alert members of the cabin crew to what was going on.
The woman was taken to another part of the plane where she was looked after by flight attendants. Cristiano was arrested when the flight landed at Edinburgh Airport
Police have slammed Cristiano’s actions as “despicable” and said it was “fortunate” the woman had the chance to report the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett, from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Cristiano will now face the consequences of his despicable actions and I hope this brings comfort to his victim.
“He deliberately approached a woman travelling alone on a flight and sexually assaulted her. Fortunately she had an opportunity to alert a member of the cabin crew and she was taken to another part of the plane where she was safe.
“I also hope this conviction gives confidence to anyone who is the victim of sexual crime to come forward. We will thoroughly investigate reports made to us and we have specially trained officers to provide support.
“Anyone wishing to report a sexual crime can do so via 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
He will be sentenced at a later date.
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