A man who was abused by a serial Dundee paedophile has hit out at his wait for justice after sentencing in the case was delayed six times.
James Donaldson – also known as James Murray – was found guilty of four serious sexual offences following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow in October 2024.
Donaldson committed horrific offences against two youngsters at locations in and around Dundee during the 1990s.
One of his victims, now 45, is now speaking out as he waits for closure.
Man tells of ‘long road’ seeking justice against Dundee abuser
He told The Courier: “It was a horrible experience having to stand in court.
“I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of hiding behind a screen or giving video evidence.
“I wanted to give my best evidence against that monster, and he was found unanimously guilty.
“This has been a long road. I gave my first statement against Donaldson when I was just 16.”
The man had hoped to put the ordeal behind him, but Donaldson has yet to be sentenced for his crimes, despite months passing since his conviction.
Sentencing has been deferred on six occasions so far, for various reasons, including certain reports not being available to the judge.
In April, the case was put back to June 6 while the court considered the imposition of a lifelong restriction order against Donaldson.
However, that was further delayed until this week.
The victim has also accused Donaldson – who is in custody – of deliberately delaying proceedings, both during the trial and since his conviction.
The latest sentencing date has been set for this Wednesday (June 18) at the High Court in Edinburgh.
‘The current system doesn’t give a great deal of confidence to other victims’
“I’ve travelled to Aberdeen, Inverness, and Edinburgh for various dates, waiting for closure,” said the man, whose identity is protected due to the nature of the crimes against him.
“All that’s happened is the can’s been kicked down the road for various reasons.
“We’ve been told this new date might not bring me closure either.
“While I’m thick-skinned and wouldn’t label myself a ‘victim’, this process feels completely backwards.
“It feels like everything is stacked in his favour with all these delays.
“The current system doesn’t give a great deal of confidence to other victims going through this.”
Donaldson, who was once a suspect in his father’s unsolved murder, previously served a four-year prison term for sodomy and lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a 13-year-old boy in 1989.
Courts service says cases can be delayed for ‘a number of reasons’
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service said: “SCTS is aware of the impact delays to the justice process can have on victims and, alongside justice partners, we are continually working to improve the experience of all court users.
“Delays to sentencing can occur for a number of reasons, such as the availability of background reports requested by the judiciary, and any adjournments will only take place when necessary.”
A spokeswoman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, which prosecutes cases, said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service appreciates the impact that crime, and involvement in the justice system, has on victims.
“We work hard to support them through the prosecution process and to ensure that justice is served.”
Conversation