Jeffrey Donaldson has been jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of 18 sexual offences against two women abused as children. The former DUP leader is expected back in Maghaberry prison and plans to appeal.
01Summary
- 01Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, was sentenced at Newry Crown Court on Thursday to a total of 15 years for sexual offences.
- 02He was found guilty in June of 18 counts of sexual abuse, including one count of rape, spanning 1985 to 2008.
- 03The victims, known as Complainants A and B, were children when the abuse began and gave victim impact statements about lasting trauma.
- 04Donaldson was expected to return to Maghaberry prison after sentencing and has said he plans to appeal.
- 05The case completed the downfall of the former DUP leader, who was knighted in 2016 and stripped of the honour by King Charles in July after his conviction.
02Why it matters
The case concerns a former leading Northern Ireland politician and has already prompted major political and public attention. The sentencing brings a long-running criminal case to a key point, with an appeal still possible.
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