Former River City Actor Iain Robertson Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison
Ninoda.com – Former River City actor Iain Robertson has been sentenced to nine years behind bars after being convicted of raping a woman and assaulting two others. The 45-year-old performer, who portrayed Stevie O’Hara in the BBC television soap opera, received his sentence following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Robertson was found guilty of five separate offences, including domestic abuse, committed against women between 2004 and 2019.
During the proceedings, witnesses described Robertson as both “violent” and “controlling” in his interactions with the victims. Lady Drummond, the presiding judge, informed Robertson—who appeared via video link from Barlinnie prison—that his actions had created a “long lasting and life-changing” impact on those affected. She noted that the women now experience anxiety, fear, and flashbacks, alongside difficulties with trust and their sense of personal safety.
The Rape Conviction and Court Findings
The trial revealed that Robertson, who resides in Carbeth in Stirlingshire, raped one woman on a single occasion between 2018 and 2019. The victim explained that she and Robertson had become acquainted through their work on River City. Although she initially did not want anything sexual to occur, she believed Robertson expected it. When their relationship became intimate, the woman later communicated that she wished to return to a platonic arrangement.
According to court testimony, one evening the woman visited Robertson’s home in Glasgow’s Tradeston district and intended to sleep on the sofa. Robertson allegedly told her she could join him in bed because “nothing would happen.” However, the witness stated that the actor instead “had sex” with her. She remained silent at the time but clarified that she did not participate willingly and did not want the encounter to occur.
She also recounted an earlier incident where Robertson performed a sex act on her, and she “just waited for it to be over.” The jury convicted him of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour toward her. Prosecutors presented additional evidence of another sexual incident involving a second woman to support the rape charge. Robertson was accused of forcing himself on this woman during a trip to the Lake District in September 2007.
While jurors did not need to deliver a verdict on this particular allegation, Robertson was convicted of assault for pouring wine over the woman’s head and her university coursework. The court also heard that Robertson displayed violent behaviour toward a third female—a fellow actor—who described being hounded by an “obsessive” number of calls and voicemails. He sent gifts to theatres where she was performing and was ultimately found guilty of threatening and abusive behaviour toward her.
Procurator Fiscal Faye Cook of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service commended the women for their courage in speaking out. “It is through their testimony that Robertson was brought to justice,” she stated. “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.”
Former River City actor Iain Robertson has been placed on the sex offenders’ register and will remain under supervision for three additional years following his release from prison. A BBC spokesperson expressed the network’s response: “We are appalled by these crimes and our thoughts are with the victims in this case.”
