Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been jailed for 15 years for a series of historical child sex offences, with a judge describing the sentence as the culmination of a “catastrophic descent into disgrace” for one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent political figures.
The 63-year-old former MP was sentenced at Newry Crown Court on Monday after being convicted earlier this year of 18 offences, including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency, committed against two girls between 1985 and 2008.
No remorse shown
Sentencing him, Judge Paul Ramsey said Donaldson had continued to deny the allegations and had shown no remorse for his victims.
“There has not been, and doubtless will not be, one word of regret, apology or shame from this man to at least provide his victims with some crumb of comfort,” the judge told the court.
Addressing the former Democratic Unionist Party leader directly, the judge said his conviction marked a dramatic fall from public life.
Fall from public life
He said Donaldson had achieved many things in his political career but had now experienced a “catastrophic descent into disgrace”.
“It is only through the courage, resourcefulness, and determination of two young women that you’ve been brought to justice in respect of the crimes you committed against them when they were children.”
Donaldson, who led the DUP from 2021 until his arrest in 2024, had denied all allegations against him.
However, a jury found him guilty of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency.
Evidence from complainants
During the trial, two women gave evidence about abuse they said they suffered as children.
One complainant described incidents of inappropriate touching and kissing, as well as an occasion when Donaldson used a light to examine her genitals.
The second complainant told jurors she was raped by Donaldson while she was still of primary school age and was later sexually assaulted by him.
The former Lagan Valley MP has been held at Maghaberry Prison since the end of his trial in June while awaiting sentence.
Once regarded as one of the most influential figures in unionist politics, Donaldson represented Lagan Valley at Westminster for more than 25 years and led negotiations on a number of key constitutional issues affecting Northern Ireland.
Since his conviction he has been stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council.
Donaldson’s solicitor has previously confirmed that papers have been lodged to appeal against both conviction and sentence.
His wife Eleanor Donaldson, 60, was found to have aided and abetted his crimes after a trial of the facts, which was granted on mental health grounds.
She cannot be given a prison sentence but could be given a treatment order or an absolute discharge.
The judge is due to decide on this at a later date.
She has also lodged an appeal against the outcome of her trial of the facts.
