Dundee abuser who made grave desecration threat given extended prison sentence
Steven Donaldson has previously served lengthy jail terms for violent attacks on women over several years at addresses in Dundee.
Donaldson's latest crime saw him terrorise another partner over a five-month spell and even make threats to stab her while he was remanded at Perth Prison.
The 25-year-old was branded a danger to women by a sheriff who imposed an extended sentence.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Donaldson frequently berated and insulted his victim, including an instance where he blamed her for being soaked by rainfall in Lochee.
Prosecutor Emma Farmer detailed how after the woman suggested he go to his parents' home for food, Donaldson believed she was ending the relationship.
'The accused slapped her to the face and pinned her to the ground,' Ms Farmer said.
'He choked her with one hand for around a minute.
'She was struggling to breathe due to the pressure applied.'
Donaldson would later pull her extensions out during a separate jealous rage, prompting her to flee to the bathroom.
Her nose began bleeding in another attack after Donaldson punched her to the face while he pinned her to a bed.
The brute grabbed and smashed her phone while she was on a Face Time call to a friend, fearing that she would ask them to call the police.
Ms Farmer said: 'The accused was described as not only being physically abusive but psychologically abusive.
'He was jealous of the relationship with her dog and tried to remove it.'
While remanded at HMP Perth, Donaldson accused the woman of cheating and threatened her.
He stated: 'I'm stabbing f*** out of you when I leave here. I dinnae care how long I get either.'
The sick thug said he would ruin her dead brother's grave and sang a song mocking his death.
Donaldson previously pled guilty on indictment to domestic abuse between October 2023 and March 2024 while subject to four bail orders.
He has multiple convictions for domestic abuse including a 2020 charge where he kicked a woman so hard that a metal plate had to be fitted into her arm.
Defence solicitor Jim Caird said: 'It's obviously a very serious matter and Mr Donaldson acknowledges that.
'There's no doubt there's work to be done with Mr Donaldson.'
The lawyer said Donaldson, whose father died while he was on remand, had been receiving psychological treatment in custody which is exploring a potential diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sheriff Brown said: 'Your conduct was vicious, cruel and cowardly.
'All of this is against a concerning background of analogous offending.
'You clearly pose a danger to the public and to women in particular.'
An extended sentence was imposed on Donaldson comprising of four years in custody and two years in the community.
Donaldson is also subject to an indefinite non-harassment order.
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The Courier
19 hours ago
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Dundee abuser who made grave desecration threat given extended prison sentence
A 'cruel' and 'cowardly' domestic abuser from Dundee who choked his horrified partner and threatened to desecrate her dead brother's grave has been given an extended sentence. Steven Donaldson has previously served lengthy jail terms for violent attacks on women over several years at addresses in Dundee. Donaldson's latest crime saw him terrorise another partner over a five-month spell and even make threats to stab her while he was remanded at Perth Prison. The 25-year-old was branded a danger to women by a sheriff who imposed an extended sentence. Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Donaldson frequently berated and insulted his victim, including an instance where he blamed her for being soaked by rainfall in Lochee. Prosecutor Emma Farmer detailed how after the woman suggested he go to his parents' home for food, Donaldson believed she was ending the relationship. 'The accused slapped her to the face and pinned her to the ground,' Ms Farmer said. 'He choked her with one hand for around a minute. 'She was struggling to breathe due to the pressure applied.' Donaldson would later pull her extensions out during a separate jealous rage, prompting her to flee to the bathroom. Her nose began bleeding in another attack after Donaldson punched her to the face while he pinned her to a bed. The brute grabbed and smashed her phone while she was on a Face Time call to a friend, fearing that she would ask them to call the police. Ms Farmer said: 'The accused was described as not only being physically abusive but psychologically abusive. 'He was jealous of the relationship with her dog and tried to remove it.' While remanded at HMP Perth, Donaldson accused the woman of cheating and threatened her. He stated: 'I'm stabbing f*** out of you when I leave here. I dinnae care how long I get either.' The sick thug said he would ruin her dead brother's grave and sang a song mocking his death. Donaldson previously pled guilty on indictment to domestic abuse between October 2023 and March 2024 while subject to four bail orders. He has multiple convictions for domestic abuse including a 2020 charge where he kicked a woman so hard that a metal plate had to be fitted into her arm. Defence solicitor Jim Caird said: 'It's obviously a very serious matter and Mr Donaldson acknowledges that. 'There's no doubt there's work to be done with Mr Donaldson.' The lawyer said Donaldson, whose father died while he was on remand, had been receiving psychological treatment in custody which is exploring a potential diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Sheriff Brown said: 'Your conduct was vicious, cruel and cowardly. 'All of this is against a concerning background of analogous offending. 'You clearly pose a danger to the public and to women in particular.' An extended sentence was imposed on Donaldson comprising of four years in custody and two years in the community. Donaldson is also subject to an indefinite non-harassment order.
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'There were no reports on Gina. 'Somehow, I convinced myself she was still alive, maybe wounded.' But at 8am a police car pulled up outside Angelica's home with two officers explaining that Gina was deceased. Wendling had abducted her during her lunch break then driven hundreds of miles away. Needing fuel, he pulled into a petrol station, locked Gina in the car and filled up. Domestic abuse - how to get help DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence. Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship: Emotional abuse - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to Threats and intimidation - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you Physical abuse - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. Sexual abuse - Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent. If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers: The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night 0808 2000 247 Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244 0182 3334 244 Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428 0800 999 5428 If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999 Remember, you are not alone. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime. Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse. When he went to pay, she bravely escaped and ran but Wendling shot her in the head by the fuel pumps. He'd then texted Angelica before calling his mum to confess. He then drove away and shot himself as police closed in. A detective revealed to Angelica that Wendling had Googled 'how do I get away with murder?' before killing Gina. Gina's university department shut for the day so her fellow students could grieve. 'We had a viewing before Gina's funeral where I put the pink stethoscope I'd given Gina her around her neck and told her I loved her,' Angelica says. 'I'd wanted to read EE Cummings poem I Carry Your Heart With Me during the service but was too upset. 'We hadn't seen this coming, nobody in our family had experienced domestic violence. 'There were no red flags anyway.' Angelica has since channelled her grief into helping others in her sister's memory. 'Since her death I've set up Journey 4 Gina, a foundation to help women suffering from domestic violence,' she says. 'We raise awareness and do things like clothing drives. 'Ending a relationship with an abuser is the most dangerous time for a woman. 'But what women don't realise is the weeks afterwards are equally dangerous. 'That's when, just like Justin, the abuser realises, he doesn't have control any longer and plots revenge.' Angelica wants to encourage survivors to go straight to a women's shelter to protect themselves. Unfortunately, these men aren't easy to spot, sometimes, like Justin, they seem perfect Angelica Gintner 'I warn them to avoid immediate family or friends, their abusers know who they are,' she says. 'Survivors need a dashcam for their car, a doorbell camera and security cameras with time stamps. 'Then, if they're stalked, they have evidence. 'Unfortunately, these men aren't easy to spot, sometimes, like Justin, they seem perfect. 'All you can do if you're with a violent man is leave the first time he raises a hand or is verbally abusive. 'It won't get better. He won't change if you love him more. 'And it will get worse. 'You can be smart, beautiful and caring, like Gina. 'He can have a great job but any woman can be the victim of domestic violence. 'My sister is tragic proof.'
