POLICEMAN BEHIND BARS AFTER RAPES AND ABUSE
A police officer convicted of raping two women and repeatedly abusing a third has been sentenced to prison, after a judge turned down his request for ongoing bail.Cameron Ross, aged 39, committed his first two assaults at different locations within the Stornoway area on the Isle of Lewis.
Originally from Nairn and previously based in the Western Isles as a dog handler, Ross assaulted a woman between August 1 and October 31, 2012.
The High Court in Edinburgh was told that Ross kissed her, touched her, and subjected her to a rape ordeal.
During his trial, the woman who cannot be named legally stated that the attack followed a party meeting.
She described how Ross forced her into sex, stating, “It didn’t feel comfortable.
It didn’t feel enjoyable.
“I didn’t say anything.
I froze.” She recounted being pinned on the bed, with Ross deliberately trapping her under his weight, causing her to feel immobilised.
She added that she remembered his remark that ‘it feels so good you must have done it before’ or something.” highlighting the trauma she endured.
Ross’s criminal activity continued in June 2014, when he assaulted a second woman on the Hebridean island.
During this attack, he restrained her, sat on her, and performed oral rape.
Later, at addresses in Inverness, between October 2019 and June 2022, he engaged in a sustained pattern of abusive behaviour towards a third woman.
His violent conduct included pushing, pulling, grabbing her by the body and hair, throwing her to the ground, twisting her arm, threatening with a knife, punching, sitting on her, and forcing his fingers into her mouth.
He also pressed on her throat and neck, restricting her breathing.
On June 5, 2022, Ross was convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour at a Highland residence, where he shouted, swore, and acted aggressively.
He then attempted to interfere with the course of justice by trying to speak with a woman providing a witness statement to police.
Despite denying all charges at trial, the jury found him guilty on all counts.
The court noted that Ross had no prior convictions.
Defence advocate Mark Stewart KC acknowledged the seriousness of the offences, suggesting a significant custodial sentence was inevitable.
He requested bail for Ross while a background report was prepared ahead of sentencing, noting Ross had been on bail for four years.
The trial judge, Judge Alison Stirling, refused the application, remanding Ross in custody.
She addressed the jury, describing the case as “difficult and anxious,” and offered a counselling service for those affected.
Ross was ordered to register as a sex offender.
According to the Press and Journal, he had been suspended from duty as of January 2024.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 2, 2026, at the High Court in Edinburgh.
