Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years for child sex offences

Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of 18 child sex offences, including rape. He will serve half the term in custody, with the remainder on licence, under rules applying to offences committed before 2008. [1]

At Newry Crown Court, Judge Paul Ramsey imposed consecutive sentences of 11 years for offences against one victim and four years for offences against the other. He cited the prolonged offending, which spanned 1985 to 2008, and the victims’ ages and the age difference between them and Donaldson as aggravating factors.

Donaldson, 63, was convicted in June and is seeking to appeal. He will be released at the end of 2033 if his appeal fails, according to the BBC. He must also register as a sex offender for life. He was returned to Maghaberry Prison after sentencing.

The victims’ statements, read in court by a senior police officer, described lasting effects. One said the abuse had left her carrying shame, anger and guilt; the other said it had affected her ability to trust people and her hopes for the future.

The judge said Donaldson had continued to deny the offences to police, in court and to a probation officer. He said the absence of regret or apology meant the victims had not received “one word of regret, apology or shame”.

Donaldson led the DUP from 2021 until March 2024, when he was charged. The party said after sentencing that its thoughts were with the victims and that “every individual must be held accountable for their actions”. [1]