In a harrowing case of sexual violence, Innocent Megbolu, a 37-year-old man formerly residing in Seacole Square, Craigmillar, Edinburgh, was convicted of raping a woman in her own home in the Leith area of the city. The attack occurred on 21 August 2023, when Megbolu, who had been in the victim's flat earlier that evening, refused to leave despite her explicit requests. As reported by the Daily Record, the incident unfolded after the woman told Megbolu to depart, leading to a brutal assault where he grabbed hold of her and subjected her to a forceful rape.
The victim struggled and protested throughout the ordeal, crying and shouting, but Megbolu continued his violent actions. An acquaintance of the victim later testified in court, describing how the woman recounted being 'flipped over - like a wrestling move' during the attack. Another witness received a distressed phone call from the victim immediately after, where she stated, 'She said she had been raped.' The woman was left shaking, tired-looking, and in shock following the assault, highlighting the profound trauma inflicted.
Megbolu denied the charges during an earlier trial at the High Court in Edinburgh but was found guilty by a jury. Sentencing took place on 6 October 2025, presided over by Judge Alistair Watson. The judge emphasised the severity of the crime, stating, 'The degree of harm caused by you in committing this crime must be considered as particularly high.' He further noted, 'Her evidence was she was crying and shouting and yet you continued with your conduct,' and underscored that the offence occurred in the victim's home, where she was entitled to feel safe.
In addition to the five-year custodial sentence, Megbolu was made subject to a non-harassment order indefinitely, prohibiting him from communicating with or approaching the victim. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life. Defence counsel Jonathan Campbell acknowledged the inevitability of a prison term given the offence's gravity, noting Megbolu's status as a first offender, his marriage, fatherhood of two children, Nigerian university degree, and prior employment in the care sector. Campbell added that Megbolu's 'principal concern is for his family and the impact the conviction will have on them,' and it was highly likely he would face deportation post-sentence.
This case, covered extensively in Scottish media including the Daily Record, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in domestic spaces and the justice system's response to sexual offences. Police involved were from the Edinburgh division, consistent with the location of the crime.