Iain Robertson, former River City actor, jailed nine years for rape

Iain Robertson, former River City actor, jailed nine years for rape

Iain Robertson, a Bafta winner and former star of the BBC show River City, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for rape and a series of violent and sexual offences committed against three women.

The 45-year-old appeared via videolink from prison on Thursday, at the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing. Dressed in a blue top, Robertson showed no reaction as judge Lady Drummond handed down the sentence. In addition to the nine years of imprisonment, he received a three-year supervision period, bringing the total sentence to 12 years.

Robertson was convicted on 23 June, 2026, at the High Court in Glasgow. A jury found him guilty of five offences occurring between 2004 and 2019. These charges included the rape of one woman between 2018 and 2019 and a separate sexual assault against the same victim.

During the Glasgow trial, the woman who was raped testified that Robertson had sex with her despite her making clear she was not consenting. She described the moment she went limp while he was on top of her.

Robertson denied any wrongdoing while giving evidence. Although he admitted he was no angel, he claimed he is sensitive regarding non-verbal communication and aware of when a woman is consenting to sex.

Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) detailed a pattern of violence, threats, and aggression. The court heard that Robertson engaged in a campaign of coercive and controlling behavior, which included raping one woman and pouring a bottle of wine over the head of another.

The prosecution also outlined a series of psychological manipulations used by the actor. Robertson let himself into a victim's home without her knowledge or consent, sent unwanted gifts, and threatened to self-harm. To further isolate a victim, he falsely told her friends that she was mentally unstable.

Procurator Fiscal Faye Cook stated that Robertson abused females who trusted him while he held a high-profile career. According to Cook, this caused lasting damage to people who believed they were safe around him. She noted that the criminal behavior spanned many years and involved several women.

Following the sentencing, Police Scotland officials emphasized that Robertson's crimes had no place in society.

"Robertson subjected the victims to years of horrific abuse, causing lasting trauma and having a profound impact on their lives."

Detective Inspector Lyndsay Laird, Police Scotland, via Glasgow Live

As part of the judicial orders, Robertson has been added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. He is also subject to indefinite non-harassment orders, with one report specifying a 99-year non-harassment order.

Detective Inspector Lyndsay Laird urged other victims of sexual abuse or violence to report their experiences to the police, asserting that every report would be thoroughly investigated.