Man who texted victim 'I feel bad' after violent rape is jailed

A man who texted his victim "I feel bad" after a violent rape in Edinburgh has been jailed for seven years and three months.

Alquimedes Gabriel Duran Geraldino, a 35-year-old Venezuelan national, forced his way into a woman's home on 3 January 2024, before subjecting her to physical and emotional abuse.

During the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, the jury heard that Geraldino had punched the 28-year-old woman in the face, leaving her with a broken nose, before kicking her body. He then raped her.

The woman, who cannot be named, told the court that during the attack he had described her as a "a street walker" and accused her of having "slept with half of Edinburgh".

He went on to leave his victim further traumatised by sending her a text message the next day saying he felt "bad" for what he had done.

In a recording played to the jury, the woman described how the attack left her feeling "humiliated", adding that Geraldino had been "very, very aggressive".

Geraldino was found guilty on rape and abuse charges at the end of his trial last month.

He had denied any wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.

Throughout the trial he had sat alongside a Spanish translator who explained the evidence presented against him in his native language.

At his sentencing on Thursday, Geraldino's defence advocate Victoria Dow told the court her client knew he would be going to prison but asked for leniency.

Judge Lord Cubie told Geraldino that his actions meant a custodial sentence was necessary.

He said: "The jury has found you to be controlling, violent and abusive.

"The victim impact statement is powerful. She has suffered physical injuries and she suffers from psychological injuries.

"There are mental scars.

"She suffers from panic attacks, flashbacks, sleep disturbance and shame.

"The consequences for her are long standing and far reaching."

Alongside the prison sentence, Geraldino will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Lord Cubie also handed him a lifelong non-harassment order prohibiting him from making contact with his victim.