Former DUP leader Donaldson gets 15 years for child sex offences

Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex offences against two girls, including rape, after a judge condemned his prolonged abuse and his refusal to apologise.

Donaldson, 63, stood in the dock at Newry Crown Court on Thursday as Judge Paul Ramsey imposed 11 years for offences against one victim and four years for offences against the other. The terms will run consecutively.

A jury convicted Donaldson in June of 18 offences committed between 1985 and 2008: one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. He denied the charges and is seeking to appeal his convictions.

Ramsey called the case “disturbing and disquieting” and described Donaldson’s fall as “a catastrophic descent into disgrace”. The judge cited the years-long pattern of offending, the victims’ youth and the age difference between them and Donaldson. He said Donaldson’s lack of other convictions did not mitigate the crimes.

“It is highly significant that the defendant denied the offences to the police, he denied them in evidence and to the probation officer he continues to maintain his denials,” Ramsey said. “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.”

Donaldson qualifies for 50% remission because the offences predated a change in Northern Ireland sentencing law. He is expected to serve half the sentence in prison, with the remainder under supervision in the community. If his appeal fails, the BBC reported, he is due for release at the end of 2033. He must also sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Statements from both victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were read after sentencing. One said she had carried “shame, anger and guilt” for years but added: “They forever changed me, but they will not take my future.” The other said the abuse had “affected everything since then” and damaged her ability to trust people. “My hope was taken away from me a long time ago,” she said.

Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor, was found unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds. In a trial of the facts, a jury found she had committed the acts alleged in five charges, including four involving aiding and abetting her husband’s offences. She has applied to appeal that finding. She cannot receive a prison sentence; the judge will decide later whether to impose a treatment order or grant an absolute discharge.

Donaldson resigned as DUP leader after he was charged in March 2024. A former Lagan Valley MP who led the party from 2021, he was stripped of his knighthood in July following his conviction.

The DUP said Donaldson deserved “every day of the lengthy prison sentence” and expressed support for the victims. “Regardless of status or position every individual must be held accountable for their actions,” the party said.