A Scottish ice hockey player has been sentenced to four years and six months in jail for raping an underage girl in his car after picking her up from a sleepover. Darren Donaldson was found guilty by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh. The court heard that Donaldson, who played for various teams including Dundee Stars Under-19s, had met the victim through friends and teammates. On the night of the incident, he collected the girl from a sleepover while she was intoxicated and incapable of consenting. Subsequently, the victim started having flashbacks of the assault and reported it to the police, leading to Donaldson’s arrest. Despite maintaining his innocence, Donaldson was convicted earlier this year.
Today, November 11, 2024, Donaldson was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow. In addition to his jail term, he was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and received a non-harassment order preventing him from contacting the victim for 15 years. Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Katrina Parkes, emphasized the importance of holding offenders accountable and supporting victims of sexual crimes.
Detective Constable Mark Guild from Police Scotland commended the victim for her bravery and encouraged other survivors to come forward. He reassured that police are dedicated to investigating such crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing sexual violence and supporting victims throughout the legal process.