Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years for sexual offences against two women who were children when he abused them, paving what was described as a “catastrophic descent into disgrace”. The sentence at Newry crown court completed the downfall on Thursday of a former Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader who once dominated unionism in Northern Ireland. Donaldson, 63, was sentenced to 11 years for rape against complainant B and four years for offences against complainant A, to be served consecutively.
He is to remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely. He had reached the “very height of public office” before a “catastrophic descent into disgrace”, the judge, Paul Ramsey said. The former Lagan Valley MP had shown no remorse or empathy, he said.
The head of the Public Prosecution Service’s serious crime unit, Catherine Kierans, lauded the victims’ courage in coming forward to seek justice. He was returned to Maghaberry prison, where he has been held since his conviction. He was found guilty in June of 18 counts of sexual abuse including one count of rape, spanning a period from 1985 to 2008.
He has denied all wrongdoing and plans to appeal. Speaking outside court, Det Ch Insp Leah Crothers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said Donaldson had manipulated his victims and exploited their trust. Police and the criminal justice system had sent a clear message, she said.
Complainant B said the abuse had taken away her ability to trust people. The 60-year-old was deemed unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds and faced a trial of the facts, which tests evidence but does not result in a criminal conviction. She is due to return to court on 13 November 2026 for a hearing in relation to the conclusion of her case.
The case shredded the reputation of an establishment figure who was knighted and played a key role at Westminster during post-Brexit negotiations over Northern Ireland’s position in the UK. During the trial Complainant B said she was raped when she was of primary school age and was of secondary school age when Donaldson lifted up her top and fondled her breasts. The jury heard that Donaldson’s wife witnessed part of the latter incident and walked away.
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