Robert Wilson, 53, has been found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting vulnerable care home resident Yvonne Carnie between August 2022 and February 2023 at The Abbey in North Berwick. The victim, who suffered from progressive supranuclear palsy, died aged 70 before the trial concluded. The High Court in Edinburgh heard details of Wilson’s attacks, highlighting serious safeguarding failures.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out
Yvonne Carnie’s family released a statement through Digby Brown, expressing profound sorrow that she “did not live to see justice prevail” and describing her as “a beautiful, kind, and caring woman who deserved to feel protected.” They condemned the care home for its lack of support and called attention to a systemic failure to protect vulnerable individuals.
Serious Charges Proven
Wilson was convicted of multiple sexual assaults on Yvonne, including attacks while she was asleep and unable to consent. He was also found guilty of raping a younger woman in Tranent between January and March 2013. However, a charge of repeatedly raping the care home resident was not proven.
Judge Condemns Actions
Lady Ross described the assaults as particularly serious due to Yvonne’s condition and the trust placed in Wilson as a carer. She told Wilson, “She was somebody for whom you were supposed to care, and that is something that means that what you have done is a bad thing indeed.”
Care Home Safety Concerns
The court viewed police interview footage showing Yvonne, who suffered from dementia, referring to Wilson as “the bad man” and recounting her feelings of being violated. The case exposed major concerns about safeguarding vulnerable adults in residential care environments.
Sentencing And Registers
Wilson was remanded in custody pending sentencing, scheduled for June 2026. He has been placed on the sex offenders’ register, and his conviction will be reported to Scottish Ministers under vulnerable groups protection legislation to prevent future harm.
