Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of child sex offences, including one count of rape. The former DUP leader stood with his hands clasped in front of him in the dock of Newry Crown Court as his sentence was handed down. Judge Paul Ramsey said Donaldson's crimes had led to a "catastrophic descent into disgrace".
He was sentenced to 11 years for his crimes against Victim B and four years for offences against Victim A. Both the sentences will run consecutively. The 63-year-old is seeking to appeal his convictions.
Donaldson will also be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. He was convicted in June of 18 counts of sex abuse, which he committed against two women when they were children. The former Lagan Valley MP has been in Maghaberry Prison since then and returned to it on Thursday afternoon after being sentenced.
Judge Ramsey said aggravating features include the length and protracted nature of the offending spanning many years. He also took into account the youth of the victims and the age difference between them and Donaldson, adding that he could not accept Donaldson's lack of other convictions as a mitigating factor. The judge said by contesting a case, a defendant avoids the reduction in sentence they would have got if they had pleaded guilty.
"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," the judge 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." Jeffrey Donaldson's wife, Eleanor Donaldson, had faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds, meaning the jury was asked to find out if she did the acts or did not do the acts of which she was accused. The jury found that she had done the acts in relation to five charges – including four counts of aiding and abetting her husband's offending.
She cannot be given a prison sentence but could be given a treatment order or an absolute discharge. The judge is due to decide on this at a later date. Dawn arrest to 'descent into disgrace': How victims exposed Jeffrey Donaldson's lies Jeffrey Donaldson's life in politics: From DUP leader to convicted child sex abuser Statements from both victims were released after the sentencing and read out by Det Ch Insp Leah Crothers.
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