FORMER AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACH ROBBIE PAULIN FROM INVERNESS APPEALS CONVICTION AND SENTENCE

Robert "Robbie" Paulin, a 39-year-old former American football coach known for leading outreach sessions in schools and engaging with thousands of young people over 17 years, is appealing both his conviction and his two-year prison sentence. He was found guilty at Inverness Sheriff Court of two counts of facilitating the involvement of minors in pornography. The charges stemmed from incidents where he persuaded teenage boys to pose naked under the false pretense of creating sex education videos.

During the trial, victims in their 20s recounted how they developed close relationships with Paulin before the crimes, which occurred between 2012 and 2014, came to light. One victim, aged 17, was photographed and filmed nude, including a sexual act that Paulin recorded himself. Another victim, aged 15, also posed naked, with indecent images taken by Paulin who attempted to record a sex act. The teens were led to believe that these images were for educational purposes.

Paulin denied all allegations, asserting his innocence and claiming that the victims had grievances against him. Sheriff MacDonald sentenced him to two years in prison, stating: “You took the opportunity to groom these young men – you spotted their vulnerabilities and made a plan. You manipulated and deceived them, you tricked them both.”

Paulin has announced his intention to appeal both the conviction and the sentence. The appeal will be reviewed shortly by a senior judge or an appeal sheriff. If permitted, the appeal is expected to be heard within the coming months by a panel of three judges.