Key Points
- Carmichael John Williamson, 32, a suspended police officer from Shetland, denied all rape and sexual assault charges during testimony at the High Court in Edinburgh.
- Williamson rejected allegations of non-consensual sexual contact after an April 2022 wedding, along with separate charges involving a teenage girl from 2014.
- The defendant told jurors he has been a police officer for over ten years and denied owning a tablet computer used to record illicit footage.
- A complainant previously testified that she could not consent during the 2022 incident because she was heavily intoxicated.
- The trial continues at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Williamson maintains that all sexual contact was consensual or never occurred.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily) October 13, 2026 – A suspended police officer from Shetland has told a court that he committed no sexual offences, rejecting allegations of rape and sexual misconduct spanning several years. Carmichael John Williamson, known as John Williamson, 32, gave evidence in his defence at the High Court in Edinburgh.
As reported by trial reporters for Shet News, Williamson stated under oath that he had never carried out non-consensual sexual acts or committed sexual crimes against the complainants involved in the case. Williamson, from Burra, Shetland, faces a series of charges relating to alleged incidents between 2014 and 2022.
The charges include allegations of rape, sexual assault, sending intimate images without consent, voyeurism, and sexual activity with a child under the age of consent.
How did the defendant address the allegations regarding the 2022 incident?
The prosecution alleged that Williamson sexually assaulted and raped a woman in April 2022 following a wedding celebration in Shetland while she was heavily intoxicated and incapable of providing consent.
As reported by journalists at The Press and Journal, Williamson rejected these claims when questioned in court, denying any non-consensual sexual activity or physical violence.
When asked about sexual contact at the social event venue, Williamson responded directly:
“None at all.”
He further denied taking part in non-consensual acts later at a private residence or slapping the woman during the encounter.
What evidence was presented regarding the secondary complainant?
The court previously heard testimony from a second complainant who alleged that Williamson met her when she was 15 and he was 19, alleging that sexual encounters began while she was still underage.
As reported by Shet News, Williamson acknowledged having a intimate relationship with the individual but insisted that sexual relations only commenced after she turned 16. He also rejected allegations that he recorded video footage of the girl performing a sexual act on a tablet computer between April 2014 and October 2015.
Addressing the court regarding the alleged recording, Williamson testified:
“I have no recollection of ever recording any of our sexual encounters.”
He added that he did not own a tablet computer during the specified timeframe. Williamson informed the jury that he had been a serving police constable for over 10 years and previously worked as a special constable before his suspension.
What is the background to this court development?
The trial follows an extensive investigation into allegations concerning a serving officer within the Shetland area. Prosecutors brought multiple charges against Williamson after complaints were raised regarding events spanning from 2014 through to 2022.
The prosecution’s case relies heavily on testimony from two women. The first woman alleged that an assault occurred in April 2022 after she became severely intoxicated during a social gathering. She told the court she felt unable to maintain control of her actions due to her level of impairment. The prosecution also cited additional alleged offences, including the sending of non-consensual intimate images to a third party in December 2021.
The secondary set of charges stems from historic allegations dating back to 2014. These relate to claims of underage sexual activity, communications involving intimate imagery, and an allegation of voyeurism in Lerwick. Following the formal filing of charges, Police Scotland suspended Williamson from duty pending the judicial outcome.
How could this judicial development impact Police Scotland and the local community?
This legal development carries significant implications for both Police Scotland and the public in Shetland. For local residents, serious criminal allegations against a serving officer raise public interest concerning policing standards, officer oversight, and internal reporting mechanisms within island communities.
For Police Scotland, the proceedings highlight ongoing scrutiny regarding the management and suspension of officers facing criminal charges. The final verdict in this trial will directly influence administrative and disciplinary decisions regarding Williamson’s employment status, as well as broader institutional protocols for handling officer-involved criminal allegations.
