EDWARD LOCHRIE AND HIS CRIME IN LANARKSHIRE AND GLASGOW

A woman from Glasgow has courageously shared her ongoing emotional and psychological struggles following a traumatic assault, as a man named Edward Lochrie was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the attack. The survivor, who chose to be identified only by her first name Sarah, recounted the harrowing details of the incident and her subsequent journey through the justice system.

Sarah explained that her ordeal began after a work-related social event in July 2021, when she invited her colleagues back to her flat to call taxis. It was during this gathering that Lochrie, a married man aged 40, who had been present at the event, committed a grievous act of sexual violence against her. She described Lochrie as someone who appeared to be quite unremarkable—quiet, reserved, and not someone she ever suspected of being dangerous. She stated, “He was reasonably quiet and unassuming. He very much kept himself to himself. I never imagined he was a harmful person.”

According to Sarah, Lochrie was the last person remaining at her flat that night. Despite her insistence that he leave, he lingered, giving the impression that he was preparing to depart. However, he then pretended to put on his shoes and, in a sudden and horrifying turn, assaulted her in her own home. She recounted, “At the end of the night he was the last person left and wouldn’t leave. I got very insistent and forceful and told him to get out. He intimated that he was going to leave, went to the door and pretended to put his shoes on and before I knew it he turned around again and raped me in my own home.”

Following the assault, Lochrie left her flat but did not cease his attempts to contact her. Over the subsequent days, he tried to reach her through her work mobile phone, despite not having her personal number. Sarah detailed his persistent efforts: “He didn’t have my personal number, but tried to reach me the next day via message on my work mobile, asking if I was still talking to him. The day after that he messaged again. As of the Monday he started trying to call me several times, which I still ignored. Then he started to reach out to other colleagues. He reached out to between five to ten colleagues of ours to try and gauge information. He asked if there was any gossip going around about me and him.”

The trauma of the assault compelled Sarah to seek immediate help. She visited Archway, a specialized sexual assault referral centre based in Glasgow, where she received crucial support from Rape Crisis Scotland. There, she underwent forensic testing and began the process of healing while trying to come to terms with what had happened.

Weeks later, Lochrie was arrested and subsequently brought to trial. After more than two years of legal proceedings, he was found guilty of raping Sarah at the High Court in Glasgow. Last week, the case culminated in a sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Judge Lord Young handed down a sentence of seven years in prison.

During the sentencing, Lord Young emphasized the severity and predatory nature of Lochrie’s actions. He stated, “While I accept that this rape was not pre-planned, it did involve predatory behaviour emerging once you realised that your victim lived alone and that you could manipulate the situation to be left alone with her. The evidence indicates that you showed no empathy for your victim and have no insight into your offending. You embarked on a process of victim blaming described as a character assassination of your victim.”

The judge also highlighted the aggravating factors of the case, including the fact that the assault occurred in the victim’s own home, a place where she had a reasonable expectation of safety. It was noted that Lochrie was intoxicated during the attack, which he himself admitted, stating he was “very drunk” that night. His self-admitted intoxication was considered a contributing factor to the assault.

Furthermore, Lord Young pointed out Lochrie’s manipulative behaviour, waiting for hours to isolate his victim and ignoring her clear hints and requests for him to leave. The court observed that Lochrie’s actions involved physical force, as he pushed Sarah onto her bed and held her down despite her protests.

The victim’s impact statement was read with great care, revealing the profound and lasting effects of the assault on her physical and emotional health. Despite her resilience and efforts to rebuild her life, the trauma continues to affect her.

In mitigation, Lochrie’s legal representatives argued that he had no prior convictions, had achieved qualifications, and maintained a relatively stable family life. He also has caring responsibilities for his son, mother, and brother. The court acknowledged his mental health issues but noted that prison healthcare would address these concerns.

However, the court was clear that Lochrie’s lack of empathy and his victim-blaming attitude demonstrated a troubling lack of insight into his actions. The judge concluded that Lochrie’s behaviour was deeply rooted in a warped perception of the events, which would hinder his rehabilitation.

Considering the gravity of the offence, the harm caused to the victim, and the circumstances of the case, Lord Young sentenced Edward Lochrie to seven years in prison, with the sentence backdated to September 29, 2023. Additionally, Lochrie was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, under the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, reflecting the seriousness of his crime and the ongoing risk he poses.

This case underscores the importance of justice for victims of sexual violence and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by survivors in their journey toward healing and closure.