Man who tried to rape woman on flight has sentence cut

A man who tried to rape a woman on board an EasyJet flight from Naples to Edinburgh has had his sentence cut from six to five years on appeal.

Nicola Cristiano, 46, was jailed in February after he repeatedly grabbed the woman by the hand and neck during a late evening flight on 13 May 2025.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the woman, from Aberdeenshire, was able to alert cabin crew when the Italian national went to the toilet.

Lawyers acting for Cristiano appealed against the sentence arguing that it was excessive. Judges at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh have now ruled the jail term should be quashed and they imposed the lesser penalty of five years.

This story contains details which some readers may find distressing.

During the hearing on Tuesday, Lord Clark, who heard the appeal with Lady Wise, said: "We are persuaded a custodial term of six years was excessive, although only to a limited extent."

Defence solicitor advocate Simon Collins said it was accepted that Cristiano was found guilty of a very serious offence and a custodial sentence was the only appropriate disposal.

But he pointed out that he was a first offender who has no other matters before the courts in Scotland or in his homeland, and has a background of working to support his family.

Collins told the appeal judges: "This is an unusual and perhaps exceptional case."

He said sentencing guidelines for rape would have indicated a sentence of between five and seven years being imposed in the circumstances, but he said in this instance it was not a "completed act of rape".

During the trial in January the high court heard how Cristiano had given the woman some wine on the flight - and that after she accepted it, he exposed himself to her.

He repeatedly tried to force her head and her hand towards him.

He also attempted to kiss and touch her.

Following the assault, the woman said she repeatedly moved away and said "no", but this did not stop Cristiano.

He signalled to the woman to go to the toilet with him, at which point she told him she would follow him into the cubicle.

The woman took the opportunity to tell cabin crew about what happened to her and staff prevented Cristiano from leaving the facility.

Police in Scotland were contacted and the woman said she next saw Cristiano when he was "escorted" off the plane in Edinburgh.

Sentencing Cristiano, Judge Alison Stirling said the attack had had a "lasting effect" on the woman's sense of safety and control.

She told Cristiano: "She doesn't feel comfortable flying and travelling alone any more.

"She had planned another holiday this year but she doesn't want to go on it any more."