Understand
Police officer goes on trial in Edinburgh facing rape and sexual assault charges
Overview
A 32-year-old police officer from Shetland, Carmichael John Williamson, has gone on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh facing multiple charges of rape and sexual assault. He denies all charges, which reportedly involve incidents spanning from 2014 to 2022. The trial, presided over by judge John Morris KC, is currently ongoing.
Key points
- Carmichael John Williamson, a 32-year-old police officer from Shetland, is on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
- He denies a series of charges including rape and sexual assault alleged to have occurred in Shetland in 2020 and 2022.
- He also denies charges of assaulting and raping a teenage girl between 2014 and 2015, and engaging in underage sexual activity.
- The first day of the trial included testimony from a witness stating she was too drunk to give consent and experienced a freeze response.
- The trial is being overseen by judge John Morris KC and continues.