Care home worker jailed for repeatedly sexually assaulting vulnerable resident

A care worker has been jailed for repeatedly sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman with a brain disorder at a residential home, causing her “profound suffering”.

Robert Wilson kissed Yvonne Carnie and touched her without consent while she was living at The Abbey in North Berwick.

Ms Carnie, then 68, was receiving round-the-clock care at the East Lothian Council-run home for progressive supranuclear palsy, a type of brain disorder which impacts mobility.

It was there Wilson, of Dunbar, carried out the “heinous” sex attacks on his victim between August 2022 and February 2023.

The 53-year-old denied sexually assaulting Ms Carnie and other charges during a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

On Tuesday, at the High Court in Edinburgh, he was jailed for eight years.

Wilson was also found guilty of raping a younger woman between January 1 and March 5 in 2013 at an address in Tranent, in East Lothian.

‘The bad man’

During the trial, jurors were shown footage of specially trained police officers interviewing Ms Carnie, who has since died.

She said she knew they were going to talk about “the bad man”, who she called Robert.

The woman told how she was attacked and she told him to stop it, but he carried on. She said: “It made me feel dirty.”

Detective constable Emma Maurer said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the women and their families affected by this appalling breach of trust. Those in care are among the most vulnerable members of our community, and have the right to feel safe, respected and protected.

“These women showed immense strength in coming forward about the abuse they suffered.

“The offences committed by Wilson were deeply distressing for the women. Sexual abuse of this nature will never be tolerated, and this case demonstrates that those who exploit individuals will be pursued and held accountable for their actions.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse to report it to us, regardless of when it happened. All reports are thoroughly investigated, and we have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”

‘Our mum endured profound suffering’

In a statement issued via law firm Digby Brown, Ms Carnie’s family said: “While this verdict brings some closure, it can never undo the profound suffering our mother endured.

“She was a beautiful, kind, and caring woman who deserved to feel protected. Instead, she was stripped of her basic decency and her voice.

“We can at least take solace in knowing that we have honoured our mother’s memory by ensuring that the perpetrator of these heinous crimes will never be able to inflict them on any person again.

“The pain of watching our otherwise sociable and happy mum struggle to cope, and the lack of support offered by the organisation responsible for her care, has left us all with a deep sense of anger and injustice.

“Sadly, our mother did not live to see justice prevail and she passed away without ever truly feeling safe again. We want this verdict to highlight a systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable.”

Wilson was placed on the sex offenders’ register, and his conviction will be reported to Scottish Ministers under protection of vulnerable groups legislation.

An East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership spokesperson said: “We are aware of the court proceedings against a former employee that resulted in a criminal conviction.”

“Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of people that we care for is our absolute priority. We are appalled by the offences this individual has been convicted of.”