Sex predator who abused two boys and vulnerable man over three decades handed life sentence

A serial sex predator guilty of attacks on three more victims has been handed a life sentence.

James Donaldson, 59, preyed on two boys and a younger man between 1991 and 2018 in Dundee, Perthshire and Angus.

He targeted the first of his victims shortly after being freed from jail for earlier abuse.

Donaldson was convicted of these latest crimes last October.

The case was then repeatedly adjourned for a full risk assessment to be carried out on the paedophile, who also has a conviction for inappropriate behaviour with a schoolboy.

Donaldson returned to the dock at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.

Judge Olga Pasportnikov said she had concluded that she would impose an Order for Lifelong Restriction on him.

She said Donaldson had been deemed to be at high risk of re-offending adding he continued to display “psychotic traits” and that previous jail-term had not proved to be a “deterrent”.

The judge: “The victims were brave enough to come forward and they were believed.

“They will hopefully be able to reclaim their lives and get some help in the healing process as you will go to prison for what you did to them. Justice has caught up with you.”

Judge Pasportnikov told Donaldson the offences were “truly wicked and despicable”.

She added an impact statement from one victim describing how he has suffered made “difficult reading”.

As part of the OLR, Donaldson, also of Dundee, will serve a minimum two and half years in prison.

But, the judge stated that does not mean he will then be automatically freed and it could be that he is never released.

Jurors earlier heard how Donaldson – also known as Murray – groomed and manipulated all the victims.

He even influenced one enough to go against his own family.

Donaldson was found guilty of indecently assaulting both then boys as well as lewd and libidinous behaviour against one.

He was further convicted of sexually assaulting the final victim.

Donaldson had denied the accusations.

He had once been charged with the murder of his father Harry Murray in 1995.

The 59 year-old security died having been assaulted while patrolling the site of a Dundee factory where he worked.

Donaldson was remanded in custody at the time, but was then bailed and the case never reached trial.

In 2012, in an interview with a newspaper, he then urged the Crown Office to drop proceedings against him claiming it had affected him getting employment.