Jordan Linden, a former SNP council leader and chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a string of sexual offenses against eight young men and boys. The crimes took place over a decade, from 2011 to 2021.
Key Takeaways
Jordan Linden, former SNP council leader and Scottish Youth Parliament chairman, was jailed for 18 months after being convicted of sexual offenses against eight young men and boys. The crimes spanned a decade from 2011 to 2021.
- Former North Lanarkshire Council leader sentenced to 18-month prison term
- Convicted of five sexual assaults, stalking, and indecent communication charges
- Offenses occurred over a ten-year period involving eight victims aged between 14 and young men
- Linden denied all charges during the trial
The 30-year-old Linden was convicted in March following a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court on ten charges, including five sexual assaults, stalking, and indecent communication according to Daily Mail. The offenses involved victims as young as 14. Linden denied all the charges during his trial.
The court heard that Linden sexually assaulted two victims at a house party following a Dundee Pride parade in 2019. He was also found guilty of directing unwanted sexual communications towards seven teenagers, including sending explicit photos of himself according to BBC. The offenses occurred while he held positions of trust within the SNP and SYP.
The sentencing had been delayed due to his counsel's unavailability. Sheriff Christopher Shead imposed an 18-month term for the most serious crime, where Linden sexually assaulted a man who considered him a friend while asleep at his flat according to Daily Mail. He also received concurrent sentences for other charges and was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.
The SNP has faced criticism over its handling of complaints against Linden. First Minister John Swinney ordered an independent review of the party's complaints processes following the conviction according to BBC. The SYP also conducted internal reviews, asserting that they had followed procedures and guidelines in place at the time.
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