A former SNP council leader jailed for sexual offences could be freed after serving just half his sentence under controversial guidelines introduced by his old party.
Disgraced Jordan Linden, of Bellshill, Lanarkshire, was convicted of assaulting young men and teenagers as young as 14 between 2011 to 2021 after a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court.
It came after a series of exclusive Sunday Mail reports highlighted a catalogue of whistleblower complaints of sexual harassment and abuse against the former leader of North Lanarkshire Council and chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament.
View 5 ImagesJordan Linden outside Falkirk Sheriff Court(Image: Central Scotland News)
At a court hearing last week, he was jailed for 18 months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
But we can reveal that under SNP early release rules, Linden could be eligible to leave after just nine months and be free as early as February.
Opposition politicians have accused the Scottish Government of a cost-cutting exercise to free up prison space.
The Scots sentencing rules, set by the government, currently state 40 per cent of a sentence must be served.
This increases to 50 per cent for those serving sentences for sexual offences or domestic abuse.
We can also reveal Linden received £6900 in legal aid assistance to defend himself in court.
Last year, Scotland’s prison population hit a record high of 8430, prompting the government to carry out three early release schemes.
View 5 ImagesJordan Linden during SNP campaigning(Image: Reach PLC)
Linden was found guilty of five sexual assaults. He was also convicted of sending unwanted sexual communications to five teenagers.
The youngest was 14 when Linden sent him semi-nude images and sexual messages.
They were all members of the SYP or had links with the organisation’s projects and claimed they were let down in 2016 when allegations emerged about his conduct as chair-man.
Another, 17 at the time, said he was sexually assaulted while at an SYP event after being booked into a room with Linden containing a double bed.
The court also heard how some of those who had raised concerns were “dismissed and ignored”.
View 5 ImagesEx-SNP council leader Jordan Linden(Image: Stuart Vance.)
Linden was found not guilty of a sixth charge of sexual assault and was also acquitted of five other charges of stalking and sexual communication.
Following his conviction in March, First Minister John Swinney said: “I want to make sure the SNP has the strongest complaints handling process in place in all circumstances.
“We will review it to make sure that it is appropriate for all the circumstances we may face.”
Scottish Conservative MSP for Central Scotland, Meghan Gallacher, said: “Jordan Linden’s victims will rightly be horrified that this vile predator could be back on the streets after serving only half of his sentence.
“The SNP’s repeated early release schemes are failing victims and undermining public confidence.”
Independent and former MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Ash Regan, said: “I applaud the survivors of Jordan Linden’s crimes for having the courage to come forward.
“But if we are serious about tackling escalating sexual crime in Scotland, the justice system must be seen to treat these abhorrent offences with the gravity they deserve.
“The SNP government must properly invest across the criminal justice system, instead of asking victims and the public to carry the cost of its failures.”
View 5 ImagesSusan Smith (left) and Marion Calder (right) of For Women Scotland celebrating outside the Supreme Court in London(Image: PA)
For Women’s Scotland campaigners have been embroiled in three legal actions against the Scottish Government, including the definition of a “woman” under equality law.
For Women’s Scotland’’s Susan Smith added: “It’s outrageous that new sentencing guidelines are allowing sex offenders to walk free within months.
“In this case it’s a nasty slap in the face for the victims who had to fight so hard and long to be heard and who were dismissed and thwarted by the establishment who rallied round Linden.
“This whole situation has been a farce, but an exceptionally unfunny one, this is now the final twist of the knife.
“Surely, there must be better solutions to overcrowding than the early release of unrepentant sexual predators?”
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