Jordan Linden is in prison after being sentenced to 18 months in custody on 6 May 2026 at Falkirk Sheriff Court. The 30-year-old former SNP council leader was convicted of 10 separate sexual offences against young men and boys, committed over a decade between 2011 and 2021.
Who Is Jordan Linden?
Jordan Linden was once considered a rising star within the Scottish National Party. Born in 2995, he became involved in SNP youth politics at a young age and eventually rose to lead North Lanarkshire Council, making him one of the youngest council leaders in Scotland at the time. He was elected as a councillor in 2017 and became council leader in May 2022. His tenure lasted just two months before a series of allegations forced his resignation in July 2022.
Prior to entering elected office, Linden was active in the Scottish Youth Parliament and various youth-focused charities, giving him regular access to young people. He was photographed alongside senior SNP figures including former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during his years as a party activist. He left the SNP in 2024, before his criminal trial concluded.
What Did Jordan Linden Do?
Linden was convicted of ten separate offences spanning a decade from 2011 to 2021. The charges included five counts of sexual assault, three counts of engaging in a course of conduct causing fear or alarm (stalking), and charges relating to sending unwanted sexual communications to seven teenagers. The youngest victim was just 14 years old at the time the offences began.
Among the most serious incidents, Linden sexually assaulted two victims at a house party in Dundee following a Pride march in 2019. He also sent numerous sexual messages, including photographs of himself in a bath and images of his genitalia, to multiple young men who had not consented to receiving such material. The scale and duration of the offending — spanning 10 years — demonstrated a persistent pattern of predatory behaviour directed primarily at young men within political and charitable circles.
The Investigation and Trial
Allegations against Linden began to emerge publicly in mid-2022 when reports of alleged sexual harassment within the SNP surfaced. His swift resignation as North Lanarkshire council leader followed. Police Scotland opened a formal investigation, and Linden was subsequently charged with multiple sexual offences.
His case was heard at Falkirk Sheriff Court, where after a trial he was convicted on 10 counts in March 2026. The jury rejected his denials, finding him guilty across a broad range of offences involving multiple complainants. The prosecution presented a consistent pattern of grooming and sexual misconduct targeting boys and young men who moved in the same political and social circles as Linden.
Sentencing and Sex Offenders Register
On 6 May 2026, Sheriff Christopher Shead sentenced Jordan Linden to 18 months imprisonment. In addition to the custodial sentence, Linden was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years — a requirement imposed on individuals convicted of qualifying sexual offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as applied in Scotland.
Placement on the sex offenders register means Linden must notify police of his address and any changes to his personal circumstances for a decade following his release. Failure to comply is itself a criminal offence. He was taken directly into custody following sentencing. Given the sentence length, he may be considered for early release under Scottish parole arrangements after serving a portion of his term, subject to licence conditions.
If you have a loved one in custody and want to know more about how the prison system works in Scotland or England and Wales, you can find information on how to book a prison visit or send money to a prisoner on our site.
Political Fallout
The conviction sparked significant political reaction. Scotland’s First Minister called on Linden to apologise to his victims. The case drew renewed scrutiny of internal complaint and accountability processes within the SNP, with opposition politicians arguing that the party had been slow to act on concerns raised about Linden’s behaviour before formal charges were brought.
The Scottish Daily Express described the scandal as “typical of the SNP’s culture of secrecy,” while other commentators noted the lengthy period over which the offences occurred raised questions about how Linden was able to continue accessing young people through party and charitable networks. The case forms part of a wider conversation in Scotland about safeguarding within political organisations and youth charities.
For information on how the parole system works and what release conditions look like for someone convicted of sexual offences, visit our guide to the Parole Board UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jordan Linden in prison?
Jordan Linden is in prison because he was convicted of 10 sexual offences against young men and boys committed between 2011 and 2021. He was sentenced to 18 months in custody at Falkirk Sheriff Court on 6 May 2026.
How long is Jordan Linden’s sentence?
Jordan Linden received an 18-month custodial sentence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years following his release from prison.
What offences did Jordan Linden commit?
Jordan Linden was convicted of five counts of sexual assault, three counts of stalking, and charges relating to sending unwanted sexual communications to seven teenagers. The youngest victim was 14 years old. The offences took place between 2011 and 2021.
Was Jordan Linden a politician?
Yes. Jordan Linden was a member of the Scottish National Party and served as the leader of North Lanarkshire Council in 2022. He resigned as council leader in July 2022 after allegations of sexual harassment emerged and subsequently left the SNP in 2024.
Is Jordan Linden on the sex offenders register?
Yes. Following his conviction and sentencing in May 2026, Jordan Linden was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. This means he must notify police of his address and personal details for a decade after his release from prison.
