A former SNP equalities officer has been jailed for six years after inflicting “unimaginable trauma” on his victims in a string of sexual and physical assaults.
Cameron Downing, 24, attacked seven young men and women at various locations in Scotland over a five-year period between 2016 and 2021, with his offending behaviour beginning when he was just 16.
Downing, from Edinburgh, who claims to be “non-binary,” sexually assaulted one of his victims “on various occasions” in early 2021.
The former drama student coerced a former partner into remaining in a sexual relationship with him by threatening to falsely accuse him of rape. He also demanded the man share his social media passwords with him and sent numerous threatening messages.
In June, a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh found Downing guilty of a total of 10 charges, including sexual and physical assault and domestic abuse.
‘No Remorse’
She said: “You have distorted views regarding intimate partner violence, and you have shown no remorse or insight into how your actions may have affected your victim.
“The likelihood of reoffending is not exclusive to men you are in an intimate relationship with, but includes adult women known to you.”
The judge added: “Your offences are likely to have caused significant psychological and physical harm to all of your victims, and their psychological recovery from your actions could be prolonged.”
Downing showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down, but blew kisses to the public gallery as he was led from the dock.
Michael Meehan, KC, representing Downing, told the court he accepted the seriousness of his client’s offences and said the court should “have regard to the impact on the victims.”
In mitigation, Mr. Meehan argued that his client had been the “subject of homophobic and derogatory remarks while at school,” and that he should be sentenced as a young person in line with his immaturity and capacity for rehabilitation.
While working for the SNP in 2022, Downing was involved in online altercations with so-called “gender critical” individuals, in which he used insulting and derogatory language and urged violence against women, posting in 2022 that he wanted to “beat the [expletive] out of some terfs and transphobes.”
His abusive comments prompted disgust from high profile women’s rights campaigners, including J. K. Rowling and former SNP MP Joanna Cherry, KC, and he later resigned from his job. His account on social media platform X is now locked.
He was involved in Out For Independence, the SNP’s LGBT wing, serving as the media and communications officer and “gender identity and expression” officer.
‘A Dangerous Individual’
Speaking after the sentencing, Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offending, said: “Cameron Downing is a dangerous individual whose predatory and manipulative behaviour has inflicted unimaginable trauma.“It is thanks to the bravery and courage of his victims that this prosecution has been possible.”
Ms. Parkes urged any other victims of Downing’s to come forward, adding, “You will be listened to, and we will use every tool available to us in seeking justice.”
Downing was sentenced to six years with a further three years on licence, and was made the subject of an indefinite non-harassment order in respect of one of the complainers.
He will also be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
