Former River City actor Iain Robertson has been sentenced to nine years in prison for raping one woman and assaulting two others. The 45-year-old was convicted last month of five offences against three women, committed between 2004 and 2019.
Details of the offences
Robertson raped one woman between 2018 and 2019 and sexually assaulted her on another occasion. He subjected the other women to abuse including shouting, swearing, threats of violence, persistent messaging, and monitoring of their movements. He falsely told friends of one victim that she was mentally unstable, entered her home without consent, and threatened to self-harm. On one occasion, he poured a bottle of wine over a victim.
Sentencing remarks
Sentencing Robertson at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, judge Lady Drummond said his offending involved “violence, coercion, intimidation, and sexual abuse.” She told him: “None of this was isolated behaviour. It formed part of a pattern of conduct carried out by you to exert power and control over these women and to make them fearful and distressed.” She described rape and sexual assault as “violations of a person’s bodily integrity” with effects that can be “long-lasting and life-changing.”
Lady Drummond noted the victims’ impact statements described “vividly, the lasting psychological harm” including anxiety, fear, flashbacks, and difficulties with trust. She acknowledged Robertson’s history of alcohol misuse and adverse childhood experiences but said only a custodial sentence was appropriate, stating: “I consider the sentence I am about to impose to be no more severe than is necessary to protect the public, to punish you for your offending, to mark the court’s condemnation of your conduct, to recognise the harm caused to the victims, and provide an opportunity for your rehabilitation.”
Sentence and reaction
Robertson received a nine-year prison sentence plus a three-year extension period with close monitoring. He was placed on the sex offenders register and given a non-harassment order. Attending via videolink dressed in a blue top, he showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down.
Earlier, Robertson’s lawyer Gary Allan KC said revelations about his client’s criminality have had “the most profound impact” on him since they emerged in 2023. Allan said Robertson, despite past success as an actor, has found himself “closed out” of the only profession he has known, adding: “Whether he will be able to re-join the profession on his eventual release is unknown, but his own view is that it is unlikely.”
Procurator Fiscal Faye Cook said: “Iain Robertson held a high-profile position through his career but, in private, he assaulted and abused females who trusted him. This has caused lasting damage to the lives of people who thought they were safe around him.” She added: “We are grateful that these women were ready to speak out. It is through their testimony that Robertson was brought to justice. To anyone experiencing similar offending, please come forward and report it. COPFS will do all that we can to hold abusers to account while supporting those affected.”
Detective Inspector Lyndsay Laird said: “Robertson subjected the victims to years of horrific abuse, causing lasting trauma and having a profound impact on their lives. Violence and abuse of any kind have no place in society and we remain committed to supporting victims and bringing those responsible to justice. I would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or violence to report it to police. Every report will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.”
