Jordan Linden, a former leader of North Lanarkshire Council and a former SNP councillor, is jailed for 18 months after being convicted of multiple sexual offences. Reporting across outlets says the offences cover a period of about ten years, with the Guardian describing crimes committed between 2011 and 2021 and victims who include young men and boys as young as 14.
Linden stands trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, where he is convicted of separate offences, with multiple outlets citing a total of 10 separate charges and noting convictions for five sexual assaults. Several reports say sentencing follows delays linked to the handling of the case, and that Linden resigned as council leader in 2022 after allegations of sexual harassment emerged, which also contributed to the collapse of the SNP administration in North Lanarkshire.
BBC and other outlets report that Linden stepped down from the council leadership in 2022 after the allegations became public. One report also states he left the SNP in 2024. He is sentenced to an 18-month prison term.
