Police Scotland officer raped two women and violently abused a third

A police officer has been found guilty of raping two women and subjecting a third to a campaign of violent abuse.

Cameron Ross, 39, carried out his serious sexual assaults in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in 2012 and 2014. He then abused his third victim in Inverness between 2019 and 2022.

Ross denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty on Monday following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Judge Alison Stirling denied the abuser bail and remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing on 2 July.

Police Scotland said the force's professional standards department will begin an investigation into gross misconduct upon the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.

Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison said: "Ross' actions go against everything Police Scotland stands for.

"Our thoughts are with the victims in this case and I hope this conviction provides them with some measure of closure.

"I commend their strength in reporting these crimes and bringing this individual to justice."

During the trial, jurors heard how Ross raped the first woman after they met at a party between August and October 2012.

The woman told the court how Ross "pinned her down" on a bed before carrying out the attack, noting: "I didn't say anything. I froze."

She said the incident had left her traumatised.

A second woman told of how Ross sat on her and restrained her before raping her in June 2014.

He went on to subject a third woman to a course of abusive behaviour between October 2019 and June 2022.

In evidence, the court was told Ross repeatedly pushed and pulled her, seized her by the body and hair, threw her to the ground and twisted her arm behind her back.

He additionally brandished a knife at her.

Ross also shouted, swore and threatened to kill the victim, punched her on the face, sat on top of her and forced fingers into her mouth, gripped her throat and pressed down on the back of her neck, restricting her breathing.

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Ross was also convicted of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner on 5 June 2022 at an address in Inverness, where he shouted, swore and acted aggressively.

He later attempted to pervert the course of justice on that date by trying to speak to a woman who was providing a witness statement to an officer.

Ross was placed on the sex offenders' register ahead of his sentencing.

CS Harrison said: "We understand how difficult it can be to report these kinds of offences, particularly when the perpetrator is a police officer.

"We want the public to be reassured that all reports are thoroughly investigated, no matter when the offending took place or who is involved.

"All officers are bound by our standards of professional behaviour, which apply on and off duty.

"Any instance where an officer fails to uphold our standards will be investigated and appropriate action taken."

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