Jury sent home for night in trial of police officer accused of island rapes

The jury in the trial of a police officer accused of rape in Shetland has been sent home.

Carmichael John Williamson - known as John Williamson - is on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The 32-year-old is accused of having sexual activity with a girl when she was under-age in 2014, and raping her between 2014 and 2015. It is also alleged he raped a woman in 2020, and then in 2022 while she was intoxicated and unable to consent.

On the third day of the trial, prosecution and defence closing speeches were heard before judge John Morris KC charged the jury. They began their deliberations in the afternoon but were later sent home and will resume on Thursday morning.

Ahead of the closing speeches, the Crown withdrew five of the original nine charges, leaving three of rape and one of under-age sexual activity.

Advocate depute David Dickson KC, for the Crown, asked the jury to believe the evidence of the witnesses and convict Williamson of the four remaining charges.

Defending, David Nicolson KC said beyond reasonable doubt about guilt was more than just a fine balance, and asked the jury to acquit.

Earlier in the trial, Williamson told the court he did not commit the crimes he is accused of.

Giving evidence, he said it was untrue that he had penetrative sex with the girl when she was an under-age teenager.

Williamson, of Burra, said the earliest point he could remember engaging in sexual intercourse was the day after her 16th birthday.

He also said it was not true that he took part in sexual activity with an adult woman outside a community hall during a function in 2022.

Under cross examination by the Crown, he disputed that the women were telling the truth.

He told the court he has been a police constable for more than 10 years.

He was previously a special constable, but is currently suspended.