Former River City actor Iain Robertson has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of raping one woman and assaulting two others in offences spanning 15 years, with a judge describing him as posing a “high risk of serious harm” to women.
Former BBC Scotland River City actor Iain Robertson, 45, has been jailed for nine years after being found guilty of raping a woman and assaulting two others. The Bafta-winning actor, best known for playing Stevie O’Hara in the long-running soap opera, was convicted on five charges following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last month. He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, appearing via video link from Barlinnie prison. The offences took place over a 15-year period between 2004 and 2019 and included domestic abuse.
Sentencing
Passing sentence, Judge Lord Cubie described Robertson as presenting a “high risk of serious harm” to women, and said he had shown little insight into his offending, having continued to deny responsibility throughout the proceedings. In addition to the nine-year custodial term, Robertson will be subject to three years of supervised release once he leaves prison. He was also made subject to an indefinite non-harassment order banning him from contacting any of his victims, and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely as a result of his rape conviction. He was taken from court to begin serving his sentence immediately.
Prior to these convictions, Robertson’s criminal record consisted of a single minor assault charge and road traffic offences. He had never previously served a prison sentence.
The rape conviction
The rape took place on a single occasion between 2018 and 2019. During the trial, jurors were shown the victim’s pre-recorded testimony, in which she described how Robertson had sex with her despite her clearly indicating she did not consent, telling the court she went “limp” while he was on top of her.
Robertson had entered a special defence claiming any sexual activity between them was consensual. Giving evidence in his own defence, he acknowledged being “no angel” but maintained his innocence, insisting he was “aware” of when a woman consented to sex and was “sensitive” enough to understand non-verbal communication. The jury rejected his account. Advocate depute Mr Keenan told jurors that Robertson’s testimony was “wholly incredible and unreliable.”
Evidence from other witnesses
To corroborate the rape charge, prosecutors led evidence of a separate incident involving a second woman, now 48. She told the court that Robertson forced himself on her during a gathering with friends in the Lake District in September 2007, after becoming angry that she had been playing a “silly” game with others. Jurors were not required to reach a verdict on this particular allegation, but Robertson was separately convicted of assaulting this woman on another occasion, which included pouring wine over her and her university coursework.
A third victim, a fellow actor who was 40 at the time of the trial, recalled an argument in 2014 in which Robertson “lunged” at her, telling the court: “He said: ‘If you think I am going to f***ing hit you, I will’.” She said that following their separation, Robertson bombarded her with an “obsessive” volume of calls and voicemails. Robertson was convicted of one assault charge relating to this woman but acquitted of a second. He was also found not guilty of engaging in abusive behaviour towards a fourth woman.
Pattern of behaviour
Prosecutors said the offences demonstrated a pattern of coercive, controlling and abusive behaviour spanning many years, rather than isolated incidents. Witnesses during the trial described Robertson as “violent” and “controlling.” Victim impact statements read to the court described the long-lasting psychological effects of the offences on the women involved, including anxiety and a loss of confidence.
Throughout the trial, Robertson denied all the accusations against him. The jury ultimately convicted him on five of the charges he faced, while acquitting him on others.
Career and BBC response
Robertson first appeared in court over the allegations in February 2024, following a police investigation. BBC Scotland dropped him from River City after the crimes came to light, and has since confirmed he has no future involvement with the programme following his conviction.
Beyond River City, Robertson’s acting career included roles in Holby City, Shetland and Rab C Nesbitt. He also appeared in the feature films The Last Bus opposite Timothy Spall, Whisky Galore opposite Gregor Fisher, and Acts of Godfrey alongside Simon Callow.
