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At the High Court in Glasgow, prosecutors called on jurors to dismiss the testimony of River City actor Iain Robertson, describing his accounts as “wholly incredible and unreliable,” and urged them to convict him of multiple offences against four women, including a charge of rape. During his closing speech, John Keenan KC emphasized the strength and consistency of the women’s testimonies covering alleged incidents between 2004 and 2020.
Iain Robertson, 45, originally from Carbeth, Stirlingshire, has denied all seven charges laid against him. His defence lawyer, Gary Allan KC, acknowledged Robertson’s imperfections by repeating his client’s own admission that he was “no angel.” However, Allan questioned if the jury could genuinely say they did not believe Robertson’s version of events “hand on heart.” The defence highlighted the detailed nature of Robertson’s testimony, challenging the prosecution’s suggestion that remembering too many details should count against his credibility.
One of the most serious allegations involves Robertson raping a woman he knew from the River City series. Prosecutor Keenan detailed how the woman described herself as being “limp and unresponsive” during the incident, asserting that she did not engage in any way. Conversely, Robertson maintains that all sexual encounters were consensual. Additionally, although not formally charged, there is an accusation that Robertson had non-consensual sex with another woman during a gathering in the Lake District in 2007—an event that Keenan described as “controlling, humiliating and demeaning,” highlighting a disturbing pattern found in statements from the other women.
Further allegations include claims from a fellow actress that Robertson subjected her to assault, harassment, and threats. The prosecution recounted moments where the woman recalled him being “disproportionately angry” and “spitting out words.” Keenan also pointed to a series of unsolicited gifts sent by Robertson, including Graze snack boxes, to the woman at theatres following their breakup. While these gestures might seem harmless in isolation, the prosecutor argued that within the broader context of controlling behaviour, they take on a “far more sinister twist.” Another woman alleged being pushed by Robertson while staying at his hut in Carbeth, describing the conduct as confusing but less severe than other accusations. Keenan urged jurors to reject Robertson’s denials, stating that his explanations appeared to be improvised attempts to navigate through the difficult allegations. He posited that it would be implausible to believe that four unrelated individuals had fabricated their claims, asking the jury to find Robertson’s testimony “wholly incredible and unreliable.”
The defence, in its closing remarks, criticized the prosecution for seemingly faulting Robertson for recalling too many details, suggesting that detailed memory should not be treated as a negative factor in such a serious trial. Allan remarked: “Is that really what the suggestion was? Should he have stuck his head in the sand and said: ‘I don’t know’?” He called on jurors to consider whether they could confidently reject Robertson’s evidence, pondering whether his testimony could be dismissed as completely worthless when reaching a verdict. The trial is scheduled to continue with Lady Drummond expected to provide final instructions to the jury
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