A 45-year-old man shocked passengers on an EasyJet flight from Naples to Edinburgh by offering a woman wine before exposing himself and sexually assaulting her mid-air in May 2025.
Nicola Cristiano’s disturbing attack unfolded during the flight. The victim told Edinburgh High Court that Cristiano first sat beside her, touched her leg, attempted to kiss her, then unbuttoned his trousers and forced her head and hand towards his exposed crotch.
She said, “He was just very persistent. I told him I was married and my husband was sitting at the front, but it didn’t make a difference.”
Despite being terrified, the woman acted quickly and pretended to follow Cristiano to the toilets. She then flagged down cabin crew, who stopped him from escaping the cubicle.
A flight attendant described the victim as “visibly distressed,” “hysterical and crying” after reporting the assault.
Cristiano admitted to a sexual encounter but denied attempting rape. His defence claimed, “She provoked me. She excited me.” However, forensic tests found Cristiano’s semen on the victim’s cheek, leading the jury to find him guilty.
Judge Alison Stirling ordered Cristiano to be placed on the sex offenders’ register and delayed sentencing until February 6 to allow for a background report.
Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett said, “Cristiano will now face the consequences of his despicable actions. I hope this brings comfort to his victim.”
She added, “He deliberately targeted a lone female traveller. Thankfully, she alerted cabin crew and was taken somewhere safe.”
“This conviction should encourage all victims of sexual crimes to come forward. We have specially trained officers ready to support anyone affected,” Garnett concluded.
Originally published by UKNIP.
