BEN MOSS SENTENCED IN EDINBURGH FOR DECADE OF ABUSE AND RAPE

A man identified as Ben Moss, aged 26, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence following a series of heinous crimes committed over a span of ten years in and around Edinburgh. The court heard that Moss engaged in a relentless campaign of sexual violence and abuse against multiple women and girls, beginning when he was a teenager and continuing into his early twenties.

Ben Moss faced a total of 20 serious criminal charges, which included rape, sexual assault, the distribution of indecent images, threats, and physical assaults. The severity of his actions was underscored during the court proceedings, with Lady Haldane describing the pattern of behavior: "A theme emerging amongst all the complainers is your repeated demands for sex and your refusal to take no for an answer."

The youngest victim was only around 13 or 14 years old when the abuse started, with Moss's misconduct escalating to include violent assaults and rapes that involved threats and physical violence. Court documents detailed how Moss exerted control over his victims—pulling out a victim's nose ring, telling her to kill herself, and calling her ugly. His violent tendencies were evident through incidents where he pushed, punched, kicked, and even choked a victim during an assault. Additionally, Moss shared explicit images of himself and videos of sexual acts with his victims, often taunting them with comments like, "This is what you are missing."

One particularly disturbing case involved a victim who was forcibly locked outside on a balcony after being punched, kicked, strangled, and raped. Moss also secretly took photographs of a teenage girl during sex and later shared these images with friends on Facebook, further demonstrating his disregard for his victims' privacy and well-being.

The crimes took place between 2009 and 2019, primarily in Edinburgh but also in surrounding areas such as South Queensferry, Ratho, and Kirkliston. During the sentencing, Moss's defense lawyer, Brian McConnachie KC, acknowledged that Moss had taken responsibility for his actions. The lawyer also highlighted that Moss was raised in a difficult environment and had recently found employment, suggesting some steps toward rehabilitation.

In court, Lady Haldane sentenced Moss to a total of eight years and three months in prison, with an additional five years of supervised release following his incarceration. Moss will also be placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. The judge emphasized the importance of Moss seeking help to address the underlying issues that contributed to his conduct and urged him to make positive contributions to society upon his release.

During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Haldane detailed the gravity of Moss's crimes, which included threatening and abusive behavior, assault, sexual assault—including penetration of a victim’s vagina and anus—and rape. She noted that Moss's offending began when he was approximately 14 years old and continued until he was 21. The court was presented with harrowing accounts from the victims, illustrating the profound and lasting impact of Moss's actions.

Lady Haldane also referenced a Victim Impact Statement from one of the complainants, emphasizing the ongoing psychological harm caused by Moss's conduct. A Criminal Justice Social Work Report revealed that Moss was classified as being at a very high risk of reoffending sexually, with no protective factors identified. The report concluded that the harm caused by Moss's actions could be severe and enduring, raising significant concerns about public safety.

Despite the high culpability, the judge acknowledged that Moss's characteristics might be amenable to change through appropriate intervention. The report suggested that, with engagement in rehabilitation programs, the risk he poses could be reduced over time. The court considered his history of short community sentences and the potential for addressing his entrenched behavioral issues.

In sentencing, Lady Haldane imposed various cumulative sentences for different charges, including three years for certain offences under the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, four years for assault charges—including a life-threatening assault—and three years for indecent communication, photography, and videography involving multiple victims. All these sentences are to run concurrently, with a 25% reduction to account for his guilty plea.

The most serious charges—multiple counts of rape involving violence and threats—warranted an extended sentence. The court imposed a total of 16 years for these offences, comprising an 11-year custodial period and a five-year extension during which Moss will be subject to strict licensing conditions. The custodial period was backdated to March 28, 2022, when Moss was first remanded in custody.

Lady Haldane emphasized that the extended sentence was necessary to protect the public from Moss’s potential for serious harm. She advised Moss to take advantage of available programs to address the issues that led to his offending, highlighting the importance of rehabilitation for his future prospects. As a result of his conviction, Moss is now subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for an indefinite period, and his name has been added to the list of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.