Actor Denies Assault Allegations at Glasgow High Court
River City actor Iain Robertson has testified at his trial in the High Court in Glasgow, acknowledging he is "no angel" but denying assault allegations made by four women, including an accusation of rape.
The 45-year-old actor faces seven charges dating from 2004 to 2020. These charges include an alleged rape, assault, and breach of the peace.
Defence KC Gary Allan questioned Robertson, known for his role as Stevie O'Hara in the BBC soap, regarding various accusations presented earlier in the trial.
Disputed Incident in the Lake District
Allan first addressed claims from the first woman named in the indictment. She alleges that in September 2007, during a gathering in the Lake District, Robertson had non-consensual sex with her. This claim, however, is not part of the formal charges.
The woman stated that Robertson forced himself on her in a bedroom after becoming upset over a "silly" game played by friends, which involved a swear word he had previously forbidden.
Robertson explained that he had taken exception to the game due to the use of the swear word, which the woman had made clear he could not say. He said he went to bed before she later joined him.
The woman testified that Robertson attempted to kiss her and proceeded to have sex despite her refusal.
Gary Allan asked, "Is your account the same as the woman?"
Robertson replied, "It was the woman who initiated sex and I was concerned others in the accommodation would hear us."
Allan further questioned, "Did she ever raise the subject of the time in the Lake District that 'you raped me'?"
Robertson, who admitted to having issues with alcohol, also denied allegations that he poured wine over the woman and her university coursework.
Allegations from a Fellow Actor
Robertson faces additional charges related to assault and threatening behavior against another woman, who was a fellow actor at the time.
When asked about the presence of swearing between them, Robertson stated:
"I do not pretend to be an angel."
"There was swearing, yes."
This woman alleges that Robertson dragged her by the hair during an alleged assault in 2014, months after an earlier incident at his Glasgow flat where she was left "cowering" in fear.
She described feeling "scared, shaken and vulnerable" as a result of Robertson's actions.
Following the end of their relationship, the woman said Robertson sent her an "obsessive" number of calls and texts. She also stated that he sent gifts to theatres where she was working, including Graze snack boxes.
Jurors heard that after the earlier alleged assault, the woman woke with a scratch on her nose.
When asked if he knew how the scratch occurred, Robertson said, "I have no idea. I had feather pillows. They scratch me regularly."
"All I can say is there have been times when I have walked into the bathroom, looked in the mirror and went 'och...'."
"I did nothing here to cause the scratching."
Robertson acknowledged there had been "friction" before the later alleged assault, which occurred after plans to see the then-latest Hobbit film were cancelled. However, he denied being violent toward the woman.
He also denied harassing her or tracking her movements, stating that the Graze box subscription was "set up" for her.
Robertson has not worked since leaving River City in 2023.
The trial, presided over by Lady Drummond, is ongoing.
