A man has been convicted of trying to rape a female passenger on an easyJet flight, which authorities described as a “despicable” act. Nicola Cristiano deliberately changed seats to be close to the victim during a flight from Naples to Edinburgh. The 45-year-old was found guilty of attempted rape at the High Court in Edinburgh on December 9, following a trial.
Cristiano targeted the lone woman during the flight from Naples on May 13, 2025, by relocating to sit next to her. It was only after he moved to a different part of the aircraft that the victim could alert cabin crew members about the incident.
The woman was promptly attended to by flight attendants in a safe area of the plane, and Cristiano was apprehended upon landing at Edinburgh Airport. Law enforcement criticized Cristiano’s actions as “despicable” and emphasized the importance of the victim reporting the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit condemned Cristiano’s behavior, highlighting the victim’s courage in reporting the sexual assault. Garnett encouraged other victims of sexual crimes to come forward, reassuring them of thorough investigations and specialized support services.
Cristiano awaits sentencing at a later date.
