Iain Robertson jailed for nine years for rape and assault
Former River City actor Iain Robertson has been jailed for nine years after being convicted of raping a woman and assaulting two others. The 45-year-old, who played Stevie O'Hara in the BBC soap, was found guilty of five offences, including domestic abuse, spanning 2004 to 2019.
Key Takeaways
- Iain Robertson received a nine-year prison sentence at the High Court for rape and related offences.
- He was convicted of five charges, including domestic abuse, against women between 2004 and 2019.
- Judge Lady Drummond said his behaviour had a "long lasting and life-changing" impact on victims.
- He was placed on the sex offenders' register and faces three years' supervision after release.
- The former BBC soap star had denied the accusations and was removed from River City when the crimes came to light.
According to the BBC, Robertson of Carbeth in Stirlingshire appeared via video link from Barlinnie prison as Lady Drummond passed sentence. Follow more celebrity breaking news on BlasterPost.
Who is Iain Robertson and what was he known for?
Robertson is best known for playing Stevie O'Hara in BBC Scotland's River City. STV News reported he previously won a Bafta and was taken off the soap when the crimes emerged.
At 45, he faced trial at the High Court in Glasgow in June. He denied the accusations, which STV said spanned 2004 to 2020, before jurors returned guilty verdicts on five charges.
What did the court hear about the offences?
The BBC reported that witnesses described Robertson as "violent" and "controlling". He was convicted of raping a woman on one occasion between 2018 and 2019, plus a separate sexual assault.
The pair knew each other from working on River City. Their relationship became intimate, but the woman later said she wanted it to return to being platonic.
She told the court she planned to sleep on the sofa at his Glasgow Tradeston home, but he said she could join him in bed as "nothing would happen". She said he then "had sex" with her against her wishes and she did not participate.
In another Glasgow incident, she said he was upset about the "sexual aspect ending", kicked over a table and broke a vase, then later got into her bed. She also described an earlier sex act she "just waited" to end. He was found guilty of a course of abusive behaviour against her. The convictions also covered assaulting two other women.
What sentence and restrictions did he receive?
Lady Drummond told Robertson his conduct caused anxiety, fear and flashbacks, and left victims struggling with trust and a sense of safety. He was jailed for nine years.
He was put on the sex offenders' register and will be supervised for a further three years after leaving prison. STV said sentencing took place at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday after reports were prepared.
The case underscores how serious criminal findings against well-known screen figures are treated in the courts, and why public interest remains high when a familiar TV name faces justice.