DONALD MCDONALD FROM CHESTERFIELD AND EDINBURGH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the communities of Chesterfield and Edinburgh, a local property developer, Donald McDonald, has been sentenced to a total of five years in prison for the sexual abuse of two young girls he was entrusted to care for. The crimes, which spanned over several years, involved disturbing acts of exploitation and manipulation, highlighting the grave breach of trust by the accused.

Donald McDonald, aged 65 and formerly residing on Banting Drive in Oakwood, was found guilty of heinous offenses committed during the 1990s. The first victim, who was only eight years old at the time, endured a prolonged period of abuse that lasted approximately three and a half years. This period of suffering extended from when she was eight until she was around eleven years old, during which McDonald subjected her to repeated acts of sexual misconduct. The second girl was also victimized on multiple occasions between 1991 and 1994, with McDonald engaging in various forms of sexual abuse during this period.

Despite denying the allegations, McDonald’s guilt was established in Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month. The court’s verdict led to his placement on the sex offenders’ register for life, a measure that underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Derrick McIntyre imposed the maximum penalty available for the most serious charge—five years imprisonment—for the abuse of the first girl. For the second victim, McDonald received an additional 18 months, with both sentences to run concurrently. The sheriff described the case as one involving systematic and prolonged sexual abuse, emphasizing that McDonald was in a position of trust and authority over the young girls.

“Charge one relates to the systematic sexual abuse of a young girl over three and a half years when she was aged between eight and 11,” Sheriff McIntyre stated. “You were in a position of trust. Charge two relates to sexual abuse of a lesser degree. Such is the nature of these offences that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”

Assessments of McDonald’s risk of re-offending indicated a low to medium likelihood, but he was deemed to pose a high risk of causing harm if he were to re-offend. The prosecution, led by Aidan Higgins, highlighted the betrayal of trust involved in the case. Higgins told the jury, “You have heard in evidence that Donald McDonald exploited his position of trust and his access to these two young girls by sexually abusing them at different times and in different ways. It could not have been easy for either young lady to give evidence about the distressing details of the sexual abuse suffered in childhood at the hands of Donald McDonald. I would ask you to find that these young ladies were very brave in coming here to give their evidence.”

Today’s sentencing marks a significant step in delivering justice for the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from those who abuse their positions of trust.