Police Scotland say ex officer "abused his position"
A former Police officer has today admitted telling a woman who he had been having a sexual relationship with to delete all evidence of it - they'd first met after she reported an ex partner's abuse
Last updated 23rd Mar 2023
A former Police Scotland officer has today pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The force has said Gavin Donaldson, who worked in Dalkeith "abused his position".
Mr Donaldson, now 44, continued to contact a vulnerable woman on his personal email address, and then mobile number, after first meeting her when she reported an ex partner's abuse.
The woman, who has waived her right to anonymity, and can be named as Anisha, was 17 when she first met Donaldson in 2016.
Contact over the course of a number of years progressed into a sexual relationship between Anisha and Donaldson, who is married with a young son.
When the relationship was uncovered by colleagues in Police Scotland Mr Donaldson was placed under investigation and suspended.
But he continued to contact Anisha, even urging her to delete all messages between the two - the court was told there were more than 28,000 WhatsApp messages, in addition to other discussion on separate apps.
Today Donaldson admitted this version of events, pleading guilty to the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, but agreeing with the Crown to plead not guilty to six separate charges.
Speaking outside the court Anisha told the media:
"Four years ago I had a man who I believed took care of me, protected me, guided me and loved me.
"Two and a half years ago I had my world turned upside down by Police Scotland's anti-corruption unit.
"If someone had told me that I would be standing here years later with a guilty plea, I wouldn't have believed them.
"This confusion that I have felt is something that has encompassed my every being for the last two and a half years.
"To know that he has admitted his guilt is to me his confirmation that this stable period in my life was a lie, something I don't yet know how to come to terms with."
When asked to comment Police Scotland said they'd take swift action when the matter came to light.
And in a damming statement said Mr Donaldson had "abused his position".
Chief Superintendent Catriona Henderson said: "His behaviour does not represent Police Scotland's values or standards of professional behaviour.
“It is right that policing is held to high standards. Those, like Donaldson, who reject what we stand for, don't belong in Police Scotland.
“When this matter came to light, we took swift action to hold him to account. Had he remained a serving officer, the circumstances of his offences would now be considered for misconduct proceedings.”
Donaldson is set to be sentenced next month.