Former River City actor Iain Robertson has been found guilty of raping a woman and assaulting two others in a series of offences dating from 2004 to 2019. The 45-year-old, who played Stevie O'Hara in the BBC soap, was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of five charges, including rape and domestic abuse.
Guilty Verdict and Sentencing Deferred
Robertson denied all charges but was found guilty by the jury. His sentencing has been deferred until July 23 to allow for background reports. He was remanded in custody after showing no remorse. During the trial, witnesses described him as “violent” and “controlling.”
Rape Victim's Testimony
The rape victim, who met Robertson while working on River City, gave pre-recorded testimony. She stated that Robertson raped her on a single occasion between 2018 and 2019 and also carried out a separate sexual assault. She said she wanted only a friendly relationship, but Robertson insisted she had feelings for him. “I do not think he believed me,” she said, adding that her “boundaries were being ignored.”
She recounted an incident at his Glasgow home where she initially planned to sleep on the sofa but was invited to share his bed with a promise that “nothing would happen.” However, she told prosecutor John Keenan KC that Robertson “had sex” with her while she slept. “I was lying down, I was very limp and he went on top of me,” she said.
Other Incidents of Abuse
In another incident, Robertson allegedly became upset about the end of the sexual aspect of their relationship, kicked over a table, and broke a vase. He then entered her bed and attempted to pull her on top of him before having sex with her again. She felt “very numb” and did not want anything sexual to happen. She also described an earlier incident where Robertson carried out a sexual act on her, and she “just waited for it to be over.”
Defence and Additional Evidence
Robertson lodged a special defence claiming all encounters were consensual. The jury also heard evidence from a second woman regarding a sexual incident in the Lake District in September 2007, which prosecutors used to corroborate the rape charge. The jury did not deliver a verdict on that allegation. Robertson was convicted of assaulting this woman, including pouring wine over her and her university work.
Prosecutor John Keenan KC described the accounts from the women as “strong and overwhelming,” noting a “common theme” of Robertson being “controlling, humiliating and demeaning.” He added that Robertson’s evidence was “wholly incredible and unreliable.” Robertson told the jury he was “no angel” but continued to deny all charges.
