Carmichael John Williamson, a police officer in Shetland, has been convicted of raping a woman and a teenage girl. A jury found the 32-year-old guilty of three charges of rape and a further sexual offense involving a 15-year-old girl.
Williamson, who had been on bail during his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, denied the allegations. He was remanded in custody by Judge John Morris KC, who ordered a background report be prepared ahead of sentencing later this year. The judge described the case as 'very distressing and anxious' and informed the jury that counseling was available.
Williamson had no previous convictions or pending cases, according to Advocate Depute David Dickson KC. He has been suspended from Police Scotland since January 2024. The court found him guilty of having sex with the 15-year-old girl on various occasions between April and September 2014, and raping her once between April 2014 and October 2015.
He was also found guilty of twice raping the adult woman. In April 2022, he was convicted of raping her again while she was intoxicated and incapable of consenting, and of slapping her face. The woman, aged 29 at the time of the trial, testified that during one attack, Williamson removed her jeans and sexually assaulted her over an armchair, referring to it as 'kinky sex.' She stated that a second sexual assault occurred after a wedding celebration. She admitted to drinking heavily during these incidents and said she was "too intoxicated to give consent."
Williamson denied sexual contact with the woman on the night of the wedding and denied having sex with the teenage girl before she was 16. He also denied recording sexual encounters with the girl. The teenage victim stated she was in contact with Williamson when she was 15 and he was 19, and they began having sex when she was 15. She described one instance of non-consensual sex as 'extremely painful.' She also stated that Williamson used a tablet computer to record her performing a sex act on him.
Williamson originally faced nine charges, but five were withdrawn by the Crown. He was acquitted of an allegation that he sent a naked photo of one of the women he subjected to rape to another man in December 2021. The court heard that Williamson was part of a group chat where sexual images or videos were shared. He has been placed on the sex offenders register.
Police Scotland stated they received the first report about Williamson's alleged offending in December 2023. These allegations related to events between 2020 and 2022. During the investigation, further offenses dating back to 2014 and 2015, when he was a special constable, were reported. Williamson was arrested, charged, and suspended from duty on January 10, 2024.
Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram of the force’s public protection unit commented on the case, stating, "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." He commended the victims' strength in reporting the crimes, calling it "the crucial first step in bringing Williamson to justice."