Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex abuse. The 63-year-old appeared in the dock at Newry Crown Court, where judge Paul Ramsey handed down the sentence.
Donaldson was convicted in June of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children. The offences were committed between 1985 and 2008.
Victim impact statements
Judge Ramsey said complainant A had been "traumatised" by the trial process, adding that the woman said the impact of Donaldson's abuse did not stop when the abuse ended, saying she grew up feeling "ashamed and dirty". The complainant said the last number of years had been a "living nightmare". The judge said complainant B said she prayed to God every day to let her die.
Judge Ramsey said Donaldson had "doubled down on his denials" since his conviction. "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," he said. He added that Donaldson had experienced a "catastrophic descent into disgrace".
Offences and convictions
The former Lagan Valley MP has awaited his sentencing in Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim since the end of the trial. The two victims gave evidence against him earlier this year.
Complainant A said Donaldson engaged in inappropriate kissing and touching, as well as an incident where he used a light to examine her genitals. Complainant B told the trial she had been raped as a child of primary school age by Donaldson and later sexually assaulted by him.
Donaldson denied the offences, but he was convicted on one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. At a pre-sentence hearing last month, extracts from victim impact statements from the two women were read.
Knighthood stripped and appeal lodged
Donaldson's barrister Kieran Vaughan KC said during that hearing that the former politician was a man of "previous good character" who "did achieve significant things". But he added: "These convictions obliterate all those achievements he has made in his life."
Donaldson has been stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council. His solicitor previously confirmed papers have been lodged for an appeal.
