GAVIN DONALDSON MIDLOTHIAN COP JAIL BREAK AFTER 14 WEEKS FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP COVER-UP

In a shocking turn of events, Gavin Donaldson, a former police officer from Midlothian, has been released from prison after serving only 14 weeks of a 14-month sentence, sparking outrage among those affected by his actions. Donaldson, aged 46, was convicted of attempting to conceal a sexual relationship with a vulnerable teenage girl he met during his duty as a police officer. His early release has been described as a 'slap in the face' by the victim and her supporters.

Donaldson was initially sentenced to over a year behind bars after he was found guilty of trying to cover up his inappropriate relationship with the girl, who was just 17 at the time. The incident came to light during an investigation into allegations of sexual assault and domestic abuse made by the young woman, identified as Anisha Yaseen, who is now 24. During the investigation, it was revealed that Donaldson had been involved with Anisha for approximately four years, a relationship he desperately tried to hide.

According to sources close to Anisha, who previously chose to waive her anonymity, Donaldson's early release on a curfew that restricts his movements is seen as a grave injustice. They expressed their outrage, stating, “How can 14 months turn into 14 weeks? For her to go through the trauma of reporting it, giving evidence, and going to court only to hear of him sauntering home after a few months like nothing happened — it’s a slap on the wrist to him and a slap in the face to her.” The source added that Anisha feels a profound sense of anger, confusion, and abandonment, feeling betrayed by the justice system that was supposed to protect her.

Gavin Donaldson, who was married at the time, admitted to perverting the course of justice at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March of the previous year. He subsequently resigned from the police force in disgrace before being sentenced to prison a month later. His conviction stemmed from his efforts to persuade Anisha to destroy approximately 30,000 messages that documented their ongoing relationship, which he sought to conceal.

In response to Donaldson’s early release, a Scottish Prison Service spokesperson explained, “We only release those on a Home Detention Curfew after a careful and considered assessment of risk and with appropriate monitoring and restriction. This is to give them the best chance of a successful liberation and reduce the risk of reoffending.” Despite these assurances, the victim and her supporters remain deeply dissatisfied with what they perceive as a lenient punishment for a serious breach of trust and abuse of power.