Police Scotland officer found guilty of raping teenage girl and woman in Shetland

A police officer has been found guilty of raping a teenage girl and a woman.

Carmichael John Williamson, known as John, denied three charges of rape and a further charge of underage sex but was convicted following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The crimes took place in the Shetland area, police said.

Judge John Morris KC described the case as "very distressing" and told jurors that counselling was available should they require it.

Williamson, of Burra, was placed on the sex offenders' register and remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing on 8 December.

The rapist, who the court heard has served as a police constable for more than 10 years, was visibly upset as he was led from the dock in handcuffs.

Williamson, 32, was convicted of having underage sex with a 15-year-old girl on various occasions between April and September 2014 and raping her on one occasion between April 2014 and October 2015.

He was additionally found guilty of raping a woman in 2020 and again in 2022 while she was intoxicated and incapable of giving consent.

The woman told the court the second attack occurred during a wedding celebration at a community hall.

She said at some point during the evening, the pair went behind the venue and sexual activity took place.

The woman said she had been drinking heavily, stating: "I can't say I felt truly in control of my actions."

She told the court further sex took place at a house while she was "too intoxicated to give consent", and she was also slapped.

The woman testified: "A lot of it is very hazy from the amount of alcohol I drank."

Williamson denied any sexual contact took place with the woman on the night of the wedding celebration, stating: "We were outside. At the time I was still vaping and she was still smoking."

He also denied having sex with the teenage girl before she turned 16 - when he was 19 - and refuted claims he used a tablet computer to record her performing a sex act on him.

Williamson said: "I have no recollection of ever recording any of our sexual encounters."

Police Scotland said Williamson was arrested, charged, and suspended from duty on 10 January 2024.

Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram, of Police Scotland's public protection unit, said: "Reports of violence against women and girls are rising and it is of the utmost importance for Police Scotland to play its part in tackling this national emergency.

"Our thoughts are very much with the victims in this case, and I wholeheartedly commend their strength in reporting these crimes.

"This was the crucial first step in bringing Williamson to justice.

"Williamson will now face the consequences of his actions and today's outcome should highlight our determination to relentlessly pursue the perpetrators in these investigations.

"I hope that this outcome may bring some closure to those affected by this case."

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The force said Williamson was a special constable at the time of the offences in 2014-2015, and was a serving officer during the 2020 and 2022 attacks.

DS Bertram continued: "We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer.

"I want to reassure the public we will identify and investigate these officers whether they are serving or retired, or whether their crimes are committed on-duty or, as in this instance, off-duty.

"We are absolutely committed to rooting individuals who are involved in criminality out of this organisation."

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