Police Scotland officer found guilty of raping teenage girl and woman

A serving Police Scotland officer has been convicted of three charges of rape.

Carmichael John Williamson, 32, was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.

The officer was found guilty of having sexual activity with a girl when she was under the age of 16, and raping her between 2014 and 2015.

He was also found guilty of raping a woman in 2020, then again in 2022 when she was unable to consent due to intoxication.

All the incidents took place in the Shetland area and happened while he was off-duty.

In a statement, Police Scotland said that officers first received a report in December 2023 of offences that happened between 2020 and 2022, while Williamson was a serving officer.

Further offencers were later reported which happened between 2014 and 2015, when he was a special constable.

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

He has been remanded and is due to be sentenced at the same court on 8 December.

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

“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.”

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673).