Dundee rapist jailed for 9 years for campaign of abuse against women

A rapist who subjected his victims to degrading, intimate "examinations" was jailed for nine years today.

James Donaldson, 36, preyed on single mothers who he subjected to violence, threats and controlling behaviour as well as sexual assault.

A judge told the father-of-five at the High Court in Edinburgh: "Your conduct towards these women was abhorrent."

Lord Uist said that Donaldson was one of number of men who have recently been convicted in the High Court of such sexual and physical maltreatment of women.

The judge said: "This court has to make clear that violence of this sort against women is wholly intolerable."

He pointed out that Donaldson has a string of previous convictions, including nine offences of assault.

Donaldson, formerly of Haldane Crescent, in Dundee, was found guilty of raping two women at addresses in Arbroath, in Angus, and in his home city on various occasions between 2012 and 2017.

He was also found guilty of two further charges of sexually assaulting the women and further offences of attacking them. He had denied the offences.

During his trial he admitted further charges of breach of the peace, stalking and abusive behaviour. He was acquitted of three further rape offences and an allegation of sexual coercion by compelling one rape victim to take part in sex with other two men.

Lord Uist told Donaldson that he would be placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely following his sentencing.

The judge told jurors: "You had to listen to some very distasteful, indeed disgusting, evidence, but I am afraid cases of this nature are coming before the High Court in very great numbers."

Advocate depute Richard Goddard QC told the court that the evidence showed that jealous Donaldson had "a bizarre and degrading method" of checking on women.

One woman said: "He would get angry, shout, spit and become violent." Another said he would smash up her house in anger if she said 'no' to sex.

One victim, aged 42, said of Donaldson: "He started getting violent and aggressive. There were accusations all the time, name calling, getting in my face, shouting in my face, spitting on me."

She said: "I wasn't allowed to flick my hair or anything like that because that was flirting with people. He said Google said it was true, so it must be. Alcohol made him worse. He would be more aggressive."

"I wasn't allowed to go out on my own because he would kick off and I would get accused of sleeping with people. I would get accused of all sorts," she said.

She said: "He is a scary guy. He is scary when he is aggressive." She said he spat in her face "numerous times" but "only lifted his hands to me two times".

The woman said she had told him to stop during sex but he would carry on.

She said she had undergone surgery and would be crying.