In January 2026, the Offender Database reported that Nicola Cristiano, 45, was convicted following a predatory sexual attack on a woman during an international flight. Cristiano was found guilty of attempted rape following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, 9 December 2025.
The court heard that the incident occurred on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, aboard an EasyJet flight travelling from Naples to Edinburgh. Cristiano deliberately targeted a woman who was travelling alone by moving seats to sit next to her. During the journey, he subjected her to a serious sexual assault. The victim managed to escape to another area of the plane and alerted the cabin crew, leading to Cristiano’s immediate arrest by Police Scotland officers when the flight landed at Edinburgh Airport.
Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett, of the Public Protection Unit, praised the victim’s actions and emphasised that Cristiano would now face the consequences of his “despicable” behaviour. The investigation highlighted the calculated nature of the attack, which exploited the confined environment of a passenger aircraft.
Nicola Cristiano is currently awaiting sentencing. As a result of his conviction for attempted rape, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register. The duration of his registration and specific monitoring requirements will be finalised at his sentencing hearing.
Upon sentencing, Cristiano will be managed under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in the Edinburgh area. This framework ensures that Police Scotland and the National Probation Service maintain intensive monitoring of his residency and movements. He is also likely to face an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which will legally restrict his travel and contact with vulnerable individuals to prevent further harm to the public.
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