Care Worker Sentenced for Sexual Offences Against Vulnerable Women
A care worker, Robert Wilson, 53, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a resident at a care home in North Berwick and raping another vulnerable woman in Tranent, East Lothian. The sentencing took place at the High Court in Edinburgh.
During the hearing, Lady Ross described Wilson's actions as "a terrible breach of trust" and ordered that he serve an additional three years on licence following his release.
Wilson was found guilty of a series of sexual assaults on Yvonne Carnie, a resident at the care home suffering from a progressive brain disorder affecting her mobility. These attacks occurred between August 2022 and February 2023.
He was also convicted of raping a younger woman at an address in Tranent between January 1 and March 5, 2013. The trial revealed that during the assault, Wilson forced the woman to the floor and subjected her to sexual acts.
Yvonne Carnie was under round-the-clock care due to a rare condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy, which is caused by a build-up of protein in the brain and leads to difficulties with balance, movement, vision, speech, and swallowing.
Wilson's attacks on Carnie included kissing her and touching her body over a seven-month period. Although he was accused of raping her while she was asleep and continuing after she awoke, he was found not guilty of this particular charge.
Jurors viewed footage of police officers trained in interviewing vulnerable individuals speaking with Yvonne, who had dementia. She referred to Wilson as "the bad man" and expressed that one incident made her feel "dirty."
Wilson, who has a mild learning difficulty, told the court he understood it would be wrong to engage in sexual activity with a resident but denied that it ever happened.
His defence solicitor, advocate Cameron Tait, stated that Wilson maintains his innocence and will continue to cooperate fully within the prison system.
Wilson has been placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. Lady Ross also issued a non-harassment order preventing him from contacting the rape victim.
During sentencing, the judge emphasized the profound impact of Wilson's abuse, describing it as the victim and her family's "worst nightmare." Lady Ross noted,
"She was scared of you and that fear stayed with her until she died."
The judge acknowledged victim statements from Yvonne Carnie's family, highlighting the devastating effects of Wilson's offences on them. She remarked,
"Very often it is hard for people to make a decision to move into a care home and it is hard too for their family members. What should make it easier is the knowledge that there are caring, professional staff."
Family Statement and Impact
Catherine Hammond, a senior associate at Digby Brown Solicitors, spoke on behalf of Yvonne Carnie's family outside the court. She said,
"No amount of time in custody can undo the calculated, predatory disregard this man showed for our mother worsened by his lack of remorse and sickening denial. While we carry the bitter weight of what she endured and the dignity stolen in her final years."
The family expressed pride in Yvonne's courage, which was pivotal in stopping the abuse. They stated that the case exposed how a predator can exploit their position to groom and isolate a vulnerable person.
They also indicated their intention to address the systemic failures that allowed the abuse to occur and thanked those who supported them. They concluded,
"Our family will have our time to address the systematic failures that allowed this to happen. We want to thank everyone who has supported us but today is about the fact that our mother's voice was finally heard."
Yvonne Carnie died at age 70 before the case concluded, having never felt truly safe again.
