Campaigners have criticised a 'light' jail sentence of just three years and nine months for a footballer who violently raped a good Samaritan in her own home.Niall Geany preyed upon the woman in the bedroom of her house in Edinburgh after sharing a taxi with her following a night out with friends on March 3 last year.The 19-year-old, who is from Kirkliston near the city, found himself 'stranded' close to the woman's house and she invited him in to charge his phone so he could get a taxi.A jury heard the footballer - who was playing with Scottish League Two side Spartans FC - attempted sexual contact despite knowing she had a boyfriend.The court was told that the woman repeatedly told Geany 'No' as he continued to attack her. Geany later stated in his police interview that she told him to 'Stop'.But he proceeded to struggle with his victim and raped her. Witnesses said the woman was 'visibly distressed' after the incident amid a change in her demeanour.Yesterday, Geany appeared at the High Court in Glasgow after being found guilty of rape. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in jail, and will initially serve his sentence in a young offenders' institute before he is transferred to prison.But Geany is expected to have to serve 50 per cent of his sentence behind bars - meaning he could have to serve only 22-and-a-half months, or just under two years. Former Spartans FC footballer Niall Geany, 19, was jailed for three years and nine monthsThe sentence has infuriated campaigners, with Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley telling the Daily Mail today: 'This is a violent rapist who attacked a woman in her own home after she tried to help him.'He should not be given leniency because of his age. Rehabilitation is a crucial part of the justice system, but it is also there to serve as a deterrent for offenders and to offer a sense of justice for victims of crime.'Women must have confidence in the justice system to protect them and offer justice. Instead, we heard about Geany's 'high intelligence' and 'exceptional' sporting ability, as if the fact that he is a convicted sex attacker is a minor personality flaw on an otherwise unblemished young man.'The punishment should fit the severity of the crime, regardless of whether he is 19 or 49 years old.'The 'For Women Scotland' women's rights group was also outraged, with a spokeswoman telling the Mail: 'With depressive inevitability, we see yet another man given a light sentence for the most appalling abuse and violation of a woman.'The judge claims Geany is intelligent and he appears to have committed a deliberate, calculated act of violence in which he cynically took advantage of a woman who tried to help him.'Extraordinarily, then, this intelligence is used in mitigation rather than evidence that this man should know right from wrong. At least, however, this man is going to serve a sentence.'Most rape cases never even make it to court, let alone result in conviction. When rape is well nigh decriminalised, men will continue to try to get away with it.'Jailing Geany yesterday, Judge Alistair Watson said: 'She allowed you in her home and she placed trust in you that night. You clearly committed the crime of rape.'The victim impact statement details the massive impact your conduct has had on her. You have to understand the harm you have caused continues to affect her physically and mentally. The degree of harm you caused is particularly high. Geany was jailed at the High Court in Glasgow (stock image) after being found guilty of rape'I have to acknowledge the serious harm caused to your victim and the gravity of the forcible and violent rape committed in the face of her struggles and protests.'This took place in her bedroom in a place she should feel safe and be safe.'However, the judge also stated that he had to regard Geany's 'high intelligence', and 'low risk of re-offending'.Judge Watson went on to say that he believes Geany can be 'rehabilitated and go on to lead a pro-social life'.Sentencing guidelines introduced under the Scottish National Party state that custodial sentences for under-25s should be shorter than for older offenders.And the judge said: 'Standing your youth in particular, I am exceptionally going to impose a shorter period of custody for a crime of this nature.'When the sentencing was announced, a man in the public gallery shouted: 'Yes.'The judge also put Geany on the sex offenders register and granted a non-harassment order which prohibits contact with the victim for an indefinite period.Richard Souter, defending, earlier told the sentencing hearing that his client was 'exceptional' in academic sporting terms.The lawyer stated: 'This is the type of offence that will have caused harm and I acknowledge that. Clearly the court will be considering custody.'Legislation states that criminals serving sentences of less than four years will be automatically released from prison into the community after serving a fixed portion of their sentence in jail.This is currently 40 per cent except for those serving sentences for sexual offences or domestic abuse, for whom it is 50 per cent – as would apply in Geany's case.The person is then only normally supervised by a social worker if they are a sex offender convicted on indictment, or have been placed on a supervised release order.A previous version of this article said that the Scottish Sentencing Council states that criminals serving sentences of less than four years will be automatically released from prison into the community after serving a fixed portion of their sentence in jail. In fact, this is legislation introduced by the Scottish Government, not SSC policy.