Family appeals against killer's 'woeful' sentence

Robert Robson (pictured with partner Kristie Graham) was "one of a kind", his family said

The family of a British worker who died on a gas rig are appealing his killer's "woeful" sentence.

Robbie Robson died in 2022 after being beaten with a 10kg (22lb) iron weight by roommate Scott Forrest.

Forrest, who worked with Mr Robson on a rig off the coast of Qatar, was convicted of manslaughter by Qatari courts in December and sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Mr Robson's partner Kristie Graham, from Cleadon in Tyne and Wear, said the family's appeal was their "only hope" of ensuring true justice was served.

The family were initially told the 38-year-old's killer could face the death penalty if found guilty of murder, and were devastated to learn he had instead been sentenced for manslaughter.

An appeal against the sentence is currently under way, after a previous appeal was rejected in January.

Mr Robson's loved ones were told the second proceedings represented their final opportunity to appeal.

'Message to world'

"Our lives have been devastated and the fact that the perpetrator has got away with such a light sentence makes it all the more unbearable," Ms Graham, mother of Mr Robson's two-year-old son, said.

"As a family we have had to read all the detailed reports into what happened that evening and it is something we would wish on no other family.

"We place great faith that the Qatari justice system will agree, following this final appeal, that the woeful sentence imposed needs to be reconsidered, not only to get true justice for Robbie, but to send a message to the world."

'Incomprehensible'

Ms Graham is calling for the initial charge of murder to be upheld.

"We were told to prepare for the death penalty to be handed down, so to receive the news of a 10-year sentence was incomprehensible," she said.

"A more severe punishment should be imposed to reflect the gravity of the crime and the loss our family endures."

Mr Robson was bludgeoned to death in December 2022 while working on the Seafox Burj for Film-Ocean, an Aberdeenshire-based underwater inspection company.

Forrest, who also attacked another co-worker, is said to have been suffering from stress and anxiety over cramped living conditions when he killed Mr Robson in their shared accommodation.

The 43-year-old, from Maud in Aberdeenshire, hit Mr Robson 20 times with a weight used in submarines, according to the victim's family, who are also pursuing a civil claim against Film-Ocean.

A 'beautiful soul'

The loss has devastated the rigger's loved ones, who described him as a "beautiful soul".

"He was a loving partner, dad, son, brother and uncle whose life was taken too soon," Ms Graham said.

"Robbie was irreplaceable and he is sorely missed by everyone that knew him."

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was supporting the family of a British man who died in Qatar.

Film-Ocean has been approached for comment.

Additional reporting by PA Media.