Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson jailed for 15 years for child sex offences

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years for child sex offences.

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Jeffrey Donaldson, a former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex offences. The sentence was handed down at Newry crown court on Thursday, following a four-week trial. Donaldson, 63, was found guilty of 18 counts of sexual abuse, including one count of rape, spanning a period from 1985 to 2008.

The victims, known as Complainants A and B, described the abuse as a result of Donaldson's position of trust. Complainant B stated that she was raped when she was of primary school age and was of secondary school age when Donaldson lifted up her top and fondled her breasts. The jury heard that Donaldson's wife witnessed part of the latter incident and walked away.

Complainant A said she was of primary school age when Donaldson began to be 'physical' with her. She recalled waking up in the night with a sexual feeling and having nightmares about 'men doing horrible things to children'. Donaldson once kissed her and put his tongue in her mouth, and when she later complained, he laughed it off as a joke, the court heard.

The judge, Paul Ramsey, said the offences merited a lengthy jail term. The sentencing drew a significant police and media presence to Newry court, 40 miles south of Belfast. The former Lagan Valley MP was expected to return to Maghaberry prison, where he has been held since his conviction. He plans to appeal.

The DUP has disowned its former leader and condemned his crimes but faced a backlash from supporters amid allegations the party turned a blind eye to other misbehaviour by Donaldson, including drunkenness and sexual harassment. The jury in the four-week trial found that Donaldson's wife, Eleanor, aided and abetted her husband's offending.