Ex-DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson given 15-year jail term for sex offences

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been given a 15-year jail sentence for a series of historical sex offences against two women when they were children.

Judge Paul Ramsey told Newry Crown Court that Donaldson, 63, had shown no “regret, apology or shame” after he was convicted of 18 offences, including one count of rape, earlier this year.

The judge told Donaldson he had “doubled down on his denials” since his conviction for the offences committed between 1985 and 2008.

“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 said Donaldson had achieved many things in his political career but had now experienced a “catastrophic descent into disgrace”.

Telling the former MP to stand before passing sentence, the judge told Donaldson: “You are now 63 years of age. It is well known that you in the course of your political career have reached the very heights of public office, and this is, on any view, 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.

“You persistently denied these offences and continued to do so, but you’ve been found guilty by a jury, and it’s now my duty to sentence you for these crimes.”

The former Lagan Valley MP has been in Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim awaiting sentencing since the end of the trial in June.

The two victims gave evidence against him during the trial.

Complainant A gave evidence of inappropriate touching and kissing by Donaldson and 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 had denied the offences but the jury convicted him of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency.

Since his conviction, Jeffrey Donaldson has been stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council.

His solicitor has previously confirmed that papers have been lodged for an appeal.

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.