A former care worker who sexually assaulted two vulnerable women in a "calculated, predatory" manner has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Robert Wilson, 53, attacked Yvonne Carnie, 68, at an East Lothian residential home on multiple occasions between August 2022 and February 2023. Ms Carnie passed away in 2025 before seeing her attacker brought to justice. Wilson also raped another woman in Tranent, East Lothian, in 2013.
Wilson was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh on 29 April, and on Tuesday at the same court he was jailed for eight years. Following the sentencing, Ms Carnie's family issued a statement through law firm Digby Brown, expressing their anguish. "No amount of time in custody can ever undo the calculated, predatory disregard this man showed for our mother worsened by his lack of remorse and sickening denial," the statement read. "While we carry the bitter weight of what she endured and the dignity stolen from her final years, we are proud of her courage which became key to stopping the abuse."
The family highlighted the systemic failures that allowed the abuse to occur. "This case has exposed what happens when a predator uses their position to groom and isolate a vulnerable person. Our family will have our time to address the systemic failures that allowed this to happen. We want to thank everyone who has supported us but today is about the fact that our mother's voice was finally heard."
Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, described Wilson as a "dangerous man who carried out a pattern of manipulative and sexually abusive behaviour towards vulnerable women." She added: "The evidence showed a clear pattern in how he targeted them. It showed a man who crossed the same boundaries again and again. He used trust to gain control. He used access to create opportunities. He used his position of power to sexually exploit women who could not stop him." Cook expressed gratitude to the women who reported their experiences and to everyone who helped secure the conviction, including the victim who died before the trial.
Police Scotland Detective Constable Emma Maurer said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the women and their families affected by this appalling breach of trust. Those in care are among the most vulnerable members of our community, and have the right to feel safe, respected and protected. These women showed immense strength in coming forward about the abuse they suffered. The offences committed by Wilson were deeply distressing for the women. Sexual abuse of this nature will never be tolerated, and this case demonstrates that those who exploit individuals will be pursued and held accountable for their actions." She urged anyone who has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse to report it to police, regardless of when it happened, assuring that all reports are thoroughly investigated with support from specially trained officers and partner agencies.
