Jailed Inverness sports coach ‘looked evil’, says survivor of childhood sexual abuse

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse in Inverness says he was shocked to see that his abuser “looked evil, he looked angry” in the courtroom after being sentenced.

It’s been three years since Shaun Matheson first reported the crimes of his former coach at Inverness-based Highland Wildcats American football club, Robbie Paulin, to the police. Yesterday (April 24), the case finally concluded at Inverness Sheriff Court, with Paulin being sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of sex offences against teenage boys between 2012 and 2014.

Shaun, who has waived his right to anonymity as a survivor of sexual abuse, was one of these victims.

“I knew Robbie from the age of 11 or 12,” Shaun previously explained. “Throughout my teenage years, he took advantage of his position for his own disgusting desires. Anyone who knew me, Robbie, the Wildcats or NutProductions knew just how close we were - despite him being 10 years older than me. The fact that it was wrong didn’t even cross my mind until I was an adult myself.”

As well as a two-year jail sentence, Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald also added a 10-year non-harassment order and placed Paulin on the Sex Offenders register for the same period, telling him “you were in a position of trust and you abused that trust”.

Shaun, who was in the courtroom for the sentencing, said: “Seeing Robbie was very odd. I believe I was the only person involved in the case who hadn’t seen him over the past few years — others had bumped into him in court or around town, but I managed to avoid that.

“Considering Robbie was my best friend and someone I looked up to throughout all my teenage years, I thought I would feel sorry for him — which might sound strange. But, putting his crimes to one side for a moment, that man had a major influence on my life. The Highland Wildcats — which he and his parents founded — shaped a huge part of who I am today. They taught me values that I still carry with me: respect for others, how to apply hard work and dedication to a craft. These are skills and attributes I use every day, and I link them directly back to Robbie and the Wildcats.

“In the courtroom, I was seated directly behind him, so I could only see the back of his head for most of the time. I only saw his face — and he saw mine — for a split second as he was being taken away in handcuffs. Truthfully, without being overdramatic, I saw him in a different light. He looked evil. He looked angry. His eyes looked darker — blacker. That brief moment left a lasting impression on me, and I don’t think I’ll forget it. It shocked me.

“When I left the courtroom, I stepped away to the toilets for a moment, and the weight of it all brought me to tears.”

Paulin was found guilty of two charges of arranging or facilitating the involvement in pornography of a person aged under 18 between 2012 and 2014. Paulin had denied any wrongdoing during the trial and was acquitted of three further sex charges.

Shaun continued: “I’m definitely relieved that it’s now all come to an end. The process has been extremely difficult from the beginning, and it’s been a long road. Over three years have passed since I initially reported the crime to the police — three years of statements, investigations, court proceedings, delays and emotional toll. So, in that sense, it feels like a small weight has been lifted.

“I hadn’t really done any research on what the sentence might be. Given the nature of the crime and the unusual circumstances, it’s hard to compare to similar cases or gauge what’s typical in the UK. So it’s difficult to say whether it was ‘fair’. That said, creating child pornography is — and always should be — deserving of a custodial sentence. I trust the judge’s judgement in determining the appropriate length of time.”

Highland Wildcats, founded in 1999 and a charity since 2006, have won 11 Scottish Championships, one UK Flag Football Championship and three Youth UK Championships. Shaun also stated that the Highland Wildcats sent him an email the night before the sentencing, which at the time of writing, he had not got around to looking at.

After Paulin’s conviction, the club issued an assurance that it it “remains a safe place” and stressed it had carried out a thorough review of safeguarding protocols.

Shaun previously explained how he wishes to become “an advocate for protecting young people in sports” and to take what’s he has been through and “use it for good”.

For support services for survivors of sexual violence, visit www.rasash.org.uk/support-line/