Security guard stopped man from trying to rape woman in Edinburgh lane

A sex predator who tried to rape a vulnerable woman in a dark city centre lane was thwarted by a security guard who came to the victim's rescue.

Olaksandr Dupik, 34, has been jailed for four years for the attack in Edinburgh's New Town last November.

Dupik, who arrived in the UK under the Ukrainian refugee scheme, was sentenced on Wednesday after earlier pleading guilty to attempted rape.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lady Drummond told him: "The only thing that stopped you in your attempts was the vigilance and thoughtfulness of a security guard.

"It was only on hearing him shout at you that you stopped and ran off.

"The security guard is to be commended for the actions he took out of concern and care towards the complainer.

"Had he not interrupted you, I have no doubt you would have persisted in your behaviour."

The incident occurred on 23 November 2025 at Thistle Street North East Lane.

The woman had been on a night out with a friend and ended up in a bar, where she met Dupik.

The court heard how she could not recall leaving with the accused and said her next memory was of "being in the dark lying on cobbled stones".

The judge was shown CCTV in the lead-up to the attack, which showed the woman in a highly intoxicated and vulnerable state.

Lady Drummond stated: "You had never met her until that night and it must have been obvious to you that she was intoxicated and incapable of consenting to any sexual activity.

"She can be seen on the footage having to be held up by others out of concern for her well-being, yet you, knowing her vulnerable state, walked her down a dark and isolated lane and attempted to rape her."

A security guard working at a private office spotted the pair before the attack and contacted a supervisor with his concerns.

Dupik meantime led the woman into the lane, where he kissed her and touched her body.

The woman, who at one point fell onto the cobbles on the roadway, tried to strike him away with her hands as he attempted to rape her.

Fortunately, the concerned security guard had left his office and shouted out when he spotted what was going on.

Dupik pulled up his trousers and fled the scene as the security guard went to the woman's aid.

The victim said: "I think I've been sexually assaulted."

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Police were alerted and they spoke with the woman who was slurring her speech and unable to stand without assistance.

Dupik was arrested in the early hours of the morning and later claimed there was consensual kissing but no sexual activity.

Defence counsel Wendy Culross told the court her client was a first offender with no history of sexual offending, had a difficult background, and poor mental health.

Dupik, who has been in custody since November, was also placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and was banned from contacting the victim.

Detective Inspector Stephanie Garnett said: "Dupik's actions were appalling and he will now have to face the consequences of his behaviour."

(c) Sky News 2026: Security guard stopped man from trying to rape woman in Edinburgh lane