CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN AIRDRIE, LANARKSHIRE

A former serviceman from Lanarkshire, Christopher Robertson, has been sentenced to serve five years in prison after being convicted of a serious sexual assault that took place at his former residence in Airdrie.

The incident dates back to December 9, 2017, when Robertson, then aged 39, engaged in a heinous act against a young woman, whom he had molested and subsequently raped. The victim, notably 15 years younger than Robertson, was left deeply distressed following the attack.

According to court proceedings, the woman had been out with friends at a nightclub before attending a party. At some point during the night, she decided to head home. Meanwhile, Robertson had also been socializing at a local pub with friends. After attempting to secure a taxi, he managed to contact the woman, and they subsequently returned to his residence. The woman reported feeling tired and expressed her desire to leave; however, Robertson suggested she stay and rest at his house.

Tragically, the woman later woke to find Robertson lying on top of her, actively subjecting her to an assault. Her testimony revealed a scene of extreme distress, with her visibly shaken when speaking to witnesses afterward. She recounted that during the attack, Robertson pulled down her lower clothing and underwear, molested her, and then raped her after she regained consciousness.

Robertson, who had previously denied any wrongdoing in an earlier trial, was found guilty of raping the young woman following the court's deliberation. The prosecution revealed that he had consumed an excessive amount of alcohol during the night—estimating roughly 10 pints of lager, six servings of Jack Daniels and Coke, eight Jagermeister shots, and several bottles of Budweiser.

During his defense, Robertson maintained that he had gone to bed because he was tired, and that the woman had joined him, leading to kissing and then consensual sex. He claimed to have fallen asleep and was unaware of the woman leaving his house. When questioned about his subsequent arrest, Robertson recounted, “The next thing I remember was waking up with four CID officers in the room. They said there had been an allegation of rape against me. I said: ‘Are you f****** kidding me?’”

His defense lawyer, John Keenan, acknowledged that Robertson was significantly intoxicated at the time of the incident. The solicitor emphasized that the situation was grave and that Robertson was aware an imprisonment was inevitable. It was also noted that Robertson had a prior history of military service, serving four years in the army with two deployments to Iraq.

The judge, Lord Boyd of Duncansby, condemned Robertson’s continued denial of guilt, stating, “You continue to deny your guilt and suggest that the complainer herself instigated sex.” He underscored the lasting impact such an assault would have on the victim’s life. Following the sentencing, Robertson was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Throughout the proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh, Robertson observed the sentencing via a video link from Barlinnie prison in Glasgow, reflecting the seriousness of the case and its implications for justice and public safety in Lanarkshire.