'Despicable' Tayside sex offender given life sentence

James Donaldson was told by a judge that his actions were "truly wicked and despicable"

A serial sex offender who carried out attacks on three victims across Tayside has been given a life sentence.

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

A court heard he targeted the first of his victims shortly after being freed from jail for earlier abuse.

Judge Olga Pasportnikov said that she would impose an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) on Donaldson with a minimum jail term of two-and-a-half years.

However, the judge told him that this did not mean he would automatically freed after that time period, and it could be that he is never released.

She said Donaldson had been deemed to be at high risk of re-offending.

The judge added he continued to display "psychotic traits" and that previous spells in prison had not proved to be a deterrent.

Donaldson was also added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He was found guilty of indecently assaulting both boys as well as lewd and libidinous behaviour against one between 1991 and 1995.

Donaldson was also convicted of sexually assaulting the final victim in 2018.

Jurors earlier heard how he groomed and manipulated the victims.

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

The judge said: "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."