Former River City actor Iain Robertson has been described as a 'violent alcoholic' who was physically and emotionally abusive, a woman has testified at his rape trial.
Allegations Span 16 Years
The 45-year-old actor, who played drug-dealer Stevie O'Hara in the popular BBC soap, is accused of behaving in a 'threatening or abusive manner' towards one woman between December 2013 and July 2015. He also faces charges of assaulting her on two occasions in 2014.
Additionally, Robertson is accused of raping another woman 'on various occasions' between 2018 and 2019, as well as offences involving two other women over a 16-year period from 2004 to 2020. He has denied all allegations.
Court Testimony
On the opening day of the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, one alleged victim testified via video link. She said she met Robertson in 2012 or 2013 while finishing drama school, and he was initially 'quite charming' but his behaviour soon changed.
'His behaviour became quite controlling, emotionally controlling, manipulative,' she said. 'Over time that would escalate and there would be threats of physical violence and then eventually physical violence.'
The woman claimed Robertson often tried to isolate her from friends and family, and would pick arguments before she was due to meet them. She described him as a 'violent alcoholic' who drank heavily during their relationship. When drunk, he would address her in an 'aggressive, disrespectful' manner, calling her a 'bitch' and being derogatory.
Incidents Recounted
She recalled a holiday to a cabin in Moray, north-east Scotland, in 2013, where Robertson drank heavily. During one drive, he became angry over directions, 'flew off the handle and flung the car around,' leaving her 'really scared.'
Another incident occurred the night before she was due to travel to London for a photoshoot. During an argument, Robertson became 'threatening' and 'aggressive.' She said she cowered, fearing he would hit her, and he responded, 'if you think I am going to hit you then I will hit you,' before lunging at her. She fell onto the bed, covering her head with her hands. He left the room, but she was too afraid to leave his flat and pretended to be asleep.
In December 2014, during an argument, she ended up on the floor. 'He dragged me by my hair from the bedroom out into the hall,' she testified. 'I was trying to make it stop, I was trying to grab on to anything to make it stop.' After he let go, she told him the relationship was over.
Breakup and Emails
The woman said she ended the relationship in early 2015 after Robertson reacted badly to her going out with new colleagues. He then sent an 'obsessive amount' of phone calls, texts, and emails, some of which were shown in court. In them, Robertson apologized, though his lawyer Gary Allan KC noted the emails did not specify what he was apologizing for, arguing this did not support her version of events. The woman accepted this but said the 'heightened' nature of the apologies matched the 'heightened' incidents.
The trial, before Lady Drummond, continues.
