Ex-Olympian’s wife feared he would kill her, court hears

The wife of former Olympic athlete Curtis Robb told police she feared for her life during years of alleged abuse, a court has heard. Robb, 54, faces charges of repeated and continuous controlling and coercive behaviour spanning multiple years.

The former Olympian, who represented Great Britain in the 1990s, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday to face allegations that he systematically controlled his wife through threats and intimidation. Prosecutors say the alleged abuse began in 2018 and continued until his arrest last year.

Pattern of Control

Court documents reveal a disturbing pattern of behaviour. Robb allegedly monitored his wife’s movements, controlled her finances, and isolated her from friends and family. He’s accused of checking her phone records, dictating what she could wear, and restricting her access to money.

But it’s the alleged threats that paint the darkest picture. According to the prosecution, Robb repeatedly told his wife he would harm her if she tried to leave. She became convinced he was capable of following through.

The charge sheet lists 17 specific incidents over a four-year period. And that’s likely just what investigators could document. Victims of coercive control often suffer in silence for years before coming forward.

Breaking Point

Things came to a head in September 2023 when Robb’s wife finally contacted police. She’d reached what one source close to the case called „absolute breaking point.” Officers arrested him at their home in Edinburgh’s Morningside district two days later.

„Coercive control is an insidious form of domestic abuse that can be difficult to identify,” said a spokesperson for Scottish Women’s Aid. „It strips away a person’s autonomy and dignity piece by piece. We encourage anyone experiencing this type of abuse to reach out for help.”

The Athlete’s Fall

Robb’s athletic career peaked nearly three decades ago. He competed in middle-distance running events and was once tipped for Olympic glory. After retiring from competitive sport, he worked as a fitness coach in Edinburgh.

His wife, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stood by him through financial difficulties and career setbacks. But she wasn’t standing beside him in court. She sat in the public gallery, avoiding eye contact.

Robb denies all charges. His defence lawyer indicated he would vigorously contest the allegations at trial. That trial is scheduled to begin in May, with proceedings expected to last five days.

The case has drawn attention to Scotland’s relatively new coercive control laws, which came into force in 2019. Convictions can carry sentences of up to 14 years in prison. Yet proving a pattern of psychological abuse remains challenging, requiring prosecutors to demonstrate sustained behaviour rather than isolated incidents.