15 years for child sexual abuse: former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced after conviction on 18 offences

Sentence and convictions

Donaldson, who led the DUP from 2021 to 2024, was sentenced at Newry crown court. The offences involved two women who were children at the time.

Victims describe lasting harm

Judge Paul Ramsey called the case disturbing as he delivered his remarks. He read parts of a statement from Complainant A, who said the trial had brought renewed trauma and that the abuse’s effects had continued.

Complainant A described feelings of shame, dirtiness and anger. In a statement, Complainant B said she concealed her distress from people around her and expressed a wish to die.

Judge criticizes Donaldson’s stance

Ramsay said Donaldson had continued to deny the offences after the jury’s verdict. He said there had been no expression of regret, apology or shame to offer the victims comfort, and described Donaldson’s fall from standing as catastrophic.

Donaldson’s lawyer, Kieran Vaughan, had told an earlier hearing that his client had previously been of good character and had achieved significant things. Vaughan also said the convictions erased those achievements.

Wife’s case remains unresolved

Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor, was found unable to stand trial on mental health grounds. A court hearing examining the facts found that she had aided and abetted her husband’s offending, but it did not result in a criminal conviction.

The judge will decide later whether she should receive a treatment order or an absolute discharge. Eleanor has appealed the court’s conclusions. Donaldson has also lost his knighthood and been removed from the Privy Council.