A depraved former community centre worker who raped and abused vulnerable adults and children is trying to have his prison sentence cut.
David Robertson was jailed for 15 years and four months at the High Court in Edinburgh in June 2014.
Lord Boyd also ordered that Robertson, formerly of Aberdeen’s Shapinsay Square, be kept under supervision for a further 10 years after his release.
The 58-year-old father-of-four was convicted of 25 offences during a trial in May 2013 – including raping two women and a young girl.
He also targeted two men during his campaign of abuse.
He preyed on victims at different addresses and locations in Aberdeen, Arbroath, Nairn and Keith.
The offences spanned almost four decades – from April 1975 to October 2011 – and involved 16 victims.
Robertson, who formerly worked at the Lord Provost Henry E Rae Community Centre, in Aberdeen’s Manor Avenue, accepted that he committed some of the offences when he gave evidence at his trial, but denied the rape charges.
Sentencing Robertson, Lord Boyd said; “It is clear while at liberty you pose a substantial risk to the public.
“Seven of the victims were girls under the age of 16, two were adult women with learning difficulties and one of your male victims also had learning difficulties.
“No one who sat through the trial could fail to be moved by the accounts of abuse at your hands.”
Lord Boyd also said Robertson had little or no insight or understanding of the impact of his crimes on his victims.
Following his conviction, police described him as a “highly manipulative and controlling” individual who blighted the lives of victims.
Robertson’s legal team was granted an extension of time application in order to lodge an appeal against his sentence.
Usually there is a two-week time limit to lodge an appeal after sentencing.
The application was granted at a hearing in front of Lady Paton, Lord Braccadale and Lord Malcolm in December.
His case will be heard at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh today.
