Former River City actor Iain Robertson is currently facing a trial for serious allegations, including rape and multiple counts of assault, spanning a period of sixteen years. The 45-year-old performer, known for his role as drug-dealer Stevie O’Hara in the BBC Scotland soap opera, stands accused of a pattern of abusive behavior against four women between 2004 and 2020. He has formally denied all charges. The trial, underway at the High Court in Glasgow, began with poignant testimony from one of the alleged victims, shedding light on the personal trauma behind the legal proceedings.
This woman, testifying via video link, described her initial meeting with Robertson around 2012 or 2013, shortly after she completed drama school. She recalled that he was initially “quite charming,” but that this facade quickly deteriorated. Her testimony painted a picture of a relationship that became controlling, manipulative, and emotionally abusive, escalating over time to threats of physical violence and, ultimately, to actual assaults. She characterized Robertson as a “violent alcoholic,” stating that his drinking heavily influenced their dynamic. When intoxicated, he would address her with “aggressive, disrespectful” language, using derogatory terms like “bitch” in a tone she described as “harsh – like venom.” She also noted his frequent attempts to isolate her from her support network, deliberately picking arguments whenever she planned to see friends or her mother.
The witness provided specific and harrowing accounts of alleged incidents. She recounted a holiday in Moray in 2013, during which Robertson “drank a lot.” While driving to a tourist spot, he “flew off the handle” over directions, flinging the car around and leaving her “really scared” and feeling “trapped.” Another incident occurred the night before she was due to travel to London for a photoshoot. After a heated argument, she cowered, fearing he would hit her. Robertson reportedly responded, “if you think I am going to hit you then I will hit you,” and lunged at her. She fell onto a bed, covering her head with her arms, and he left the room. She was “so afraid” but felt unable to leave his flat, so she pretended to sleep.
Perhaps the most physically violent account she shared was from December 2014. During an argument, she said she “ended up on the floor” before Robertson dragged her by her hair from the bedroom into the hall. She described desperately trying to grab onto anything to stop the assault. After he let go, she stood up and told him the relationship was over. She finally broke things off in early 2015 after he reacted badly to her socializing with new colleagues. Subsequently, she said he sent an “obsessive amount” of calls, texts, and emails. The court was shown some of these emails, which contained apologies from Robertson. His defense lawyer, Gary Allan KC, noted that the emails did not specify what he was apologizing for, suggesting this did not support her version of events. The woman accepted this point but countered that the “heightened” nature of the apologies corresponded to the “heightened” severity of the incidents.
Robertson faces further grave accusations beyond this relationship. He is also charged with raping another woman “on various occasions” between 2018 and 2019, as well as additional offences involving two other women. These charges collectively form the basis of the prosecution’s case, alleging a prolonged pattern of threatening, abusive, and violent behavior across a 16-year timeline. The trial, presided over by Lady Drummond, continues as the court meticulously examines the evidence and testimonies presented. The proceedings represent not only a legal reckoning for the accused but also a painful public airing of deeply personal experiences for the women involved, as they seek justice for the harms they allege.
