Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years for child sex offences
publishers 22articles 30first reported 15 Oct, 05:49 UTCdeveloping since 15 Oct · 13 editions
Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced on Thursday to 15 years in prison for 18 historical sexual offences against two women when they were children.
A jury at Newry Crown Court convicted Donaldson, 63, in June of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. The offences were committed between 1985 and 2008. He had denied the charges.
Judge Paul Ramsey imposed an 11-year sentence for the rape and other offences against one victim, followed by four years for offences against the second victim. He said Donaldson had “doubled down in his denials” and shown no regret, apology or shame. A pre-sentence report assessed him as posing a medium risk of reoffending.
The court heard victim-impact statements describing lasting trauma, damaged relationships and the strain of the trial. Ramsey said the women’s courage, resourcefulness and determination had brought Donaldson to justice.
Donaldson was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and barred from working with children and vulnerable adults. He has been held at Maghaberry Prison since his conviction, and his solicitor has said appeal papers were lodged.
The DUP said Donaldson “deserves every day” of his sentence and expressed support for the victims. Police and prosecutors also praised the women’s bravery in reporting the abuse and pursuing the case.
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Written from 6 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 2 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 12 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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