Rape witness in cell ordeal anger

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Rape victim seeks justice

A woman jailed for trying to flee the witness box, while giving evidence against a man she claimed raped her, has called for the judge to be sacked.

Ann Robertson, 43, was remanded by Roger Craik QC during the case against George Cummings at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this month.

She was arrested and taken to police cells overnight after failing to deliver her testimony.

Ms Robertson made a complaint about the temporary judge to the Crown Office.

The trial resulted in George Cummings, from Grangemouth, near Falkirk, being found guilty of abusing two young girls during the 1970s.

The man's totally out of line. Absolutely appalling Ann Robertson Pensioner jailed for child abuse

However, the charge of raping Ms Robertson was dropped.

He has been sentenced to three-and-half years in prison.

Ms Robertson accused Mr Craik, who is also a sheriff, of treating her more like a criminal than a victim after he instructed her to be held at St Leonard's police station in Edinburgh overnight.

She said: "The judge turned round and said 'well maybe a night in the cells will calm you down'.

"It was just totally out of line and then I was escorted from the witness box and then I was arrested by the police."

She added: "The man's totally out of line. Absolutely appalling.

"And if that's the way that he's going to treat future victims then his reaction is going to stop people coming forward."

Ms Robertson's complaints against Sheriff Craik is being considered by Scotland's most senior judge.

Figures show that of the 922 allegations of rape in Scotland last year, only 27 resulted in convictions.