Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual offences against two women who were children when the abuse took place.
Donaldson, 63, was unanimously convicted in June of 18 offences, including rape, carried out over a 23-year period. His wife, Eleanor, was found to have concealed or failed to stop some of the abuse.
The offences occurred between 1985 and 2008 and involved two girls. The convictions included one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency.
He was arrested and charged in 2024, while he remained one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent political figures. The sentencing judge described the case as a “catastrophic descent into disgrace”.
Donaldson, who received a knighthood in 2016 before it was removed this year, denied the allegations and called them “unbelievable”. The jury rejected his account, and he has since indicated that he plans to appeal his convictions.
In a separate trial of the facts, Eleanor Donaldson was found to have aided and abetted her husband by failing to act, despite witnessing some of the abuse. She was deemed too ill to stand trial on criminal charges.
The offences against Victim A began when she was still of primary school age. Donaldson kissed her, forced his tongue into her mouth, groped her under her clothing and used a light to inspect her genitals.
Victim B was also in primary school when Donaldson raped her. He indecently assaulted her nine times, including on one occasion when his wife was in the room.
“Every day I pray God will let me die,” she told the court in a written victim impact statement.
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has received a 15-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexually abusing two women during their childhood
A prison van believed to be carrying former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, arrives at Newry Crown Court ahead of his sentencing on Thursday
When Donaldson’s wife witnessed one of the assaults, she did not intervene. Instead, she left the room and closed the door behind her.
She was previously found to have committed the acts set out in five charges, including four relating to aiding and abetting her husband’s abuse. She is due back in court for a further hearing on November 13.
At Newry Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Paul Ramsey said Donaldson had “stoutly” denied the offences and had shown no responsibility for his conduct or empathy for the victims.
“It is only through the courage, resourcefulness and determination of two young women that you have been brought to justice in respect of the crimes you committed against them when they were children,” he said.
Victim impact statements outlined the enduring harm suffered by Victim A, including chronic anxiety, nightmares and extremely low self-esteem.
The court heard that she grew up feeling dirty and ashamed and continued to struggle with intense anger.
Victim B said the abuse had affected every relationship she had experienced throughout her life.
“Every day I pray God will let me die,” she said. “I wonder what it is like not to be afraid at night.”
Judge Ramsey sentenced Donaldson to 11 years for the offences against Victim B and an additional four years for those against Victim A. The sentences will be served consecutively.
He told Donaldson he had ‘doubled down on his denials’ since his conviction, and that he had been assessed as medium risk of reoffending.
Donaldson is seen arriving at Newry Courthouse in 2024 after being charged with the offences
Donaldson speaks in Parliament in March 2024, just days before he would be charged over child sex offences
‘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,’ he said.
He said Donaldson had experienced a ‘catastrophic descent into disgrace’.
The former politician remained emotionless before being returned to custody to begin his sentence. He has been in Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim awaiting sentencing since the end of the trial in June.
Speaking after the case in statements issued through the PSNI, Victim A said: ‘What happened to me as a child has affected everything since then, every day and every relationship I have ever had.
‘At times I wonder who I would be if this hadn’t happened to me. What would it be like not to be afraid at night, not to wake up shaking, not to have nightmares and not to lock away every feeling I have?
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‘What happened took away my ability to trust people and, in all honesty, I don’t think I really know what trust or love truly is. Nothing can ever change what was done to me. I wish it could.’
Victim B added: ‘I stood up, many years later, because for me this is about drawing a line in the sand and knowing that the Donaldsons can no longer hurt anyone else.
‘Many people get to look ahead and plan their lives with hope, I’ve never known what that feels like. My hope was taken away from me a long time ago.’
Donaldson was first elected to Parliament in 1997 and was the longest-serving Northern Ireland MP, representing Lagan Valley in County Down.
He resigned as head of the DUP, which had since launched a ‘focused, independent review’ to establish what was known within the party about Donaldson’s conduct.
After his conviction, Donaldson was stripped of his knighthood.
Speaking outside court on Thursday, Det Ch Insp Leah Crothers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said both of his victims have ‘suffered immeasurably as they come to terms with what has happened to them as children. He robbed them both of their childhood and innocence.’
She added: ‘The police service and our criminal justice system has sent a clear message: no-one is above the law.’
Eleanor Donaldson pictured leaving court in 2024 – she was assessed as being medically unfit to stand trial, but has been found to have done the acts alleged of her
After the sentencing, the DUP said Donaldson ‘deserves every day of the lengthy prison service he has to serve’.
A spokesperson said: ‘Today justice has been done with the sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson for his vile and disgusting crimes against his victims.
‘Our first thoughts are again with the innocent victims, who having suffered such evil, were re-traumatised through giving evidence at the trial.
‘They deserve our compassion, support and respect. We hope they can find some measure of comfort and can look ahead to a new chapter in their lives.’
The party added: ‘Regardless of status or position every individual must be held accountable for their actions.
‘He deserves every day of the lengthy prison sentence he has to serve following the guilty verdict for preying on innocent child victims.’
The Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, which Donaldson was previously affiliated with, Jon Burrows said: ‘My thoughts remain with the two brave women whose courage brought him to justice, and with their families.
‘No sentence can give back what was taken from them. But today’s outcome is the clearest possible statement that no office, no status and no reputation places anyone above the law, and that the courage of victims who come forward will be met with the full weight of justice.’
Mr Burrows added that the UUP’s own independent safeguarding review into Donaldson’s years within the party continues, adding: ‘The party will act on whatever it finds.’
The UUP leader also paid tribute to the ‘profound service’ of charities and support organisations for survivors of historical abuse.
The Head of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) Serious Crime Unit Catherine Kierans said: ‘Child sexual abuse is a heinous crime. Jeffrey Donaldson exploited his young victims, causing profound and lasting harm that they continue to live with to this day. Despite the devastation he has caused, he has never accepted responsibility for his offending, nor shown any remorse.
‘Jeffrey Donaldson held a prominent public position. This case shows that sexual abuse can be hidden behind a facade of respectability. It also shows that no individual, irrespective of their position, status or public reputation, is beyond the reach of the law.’
She added: ‘I want to pay tribute to the victims in this case. We recognise that it took great courage to speak out. Victims of sexual abuse should never feel shame for what was done to them. The shame belongs solely to those who commit these offences.
‘We know that the criminal justice outcome will not heal all the hurt these two incredibly brave women have experienced. However, we hope it will be of some comfort to them as they look to the future.’
Following the sentencing, NSPCC Northern Ireland said Donaldson ‘betrayed the trust placed in him as a public figure’.
In a statement, it said: ‘Both women showed incredible courage in giving evidence, and we hope they can now begin to move forward in their lives knowing their abuser has been held accountable.
‘Child sexual abuse can have a devastating impact on victims, and it is vital they receive the support they need.
‘This case highlights that no matter how long ago the abuse took place, or who the perpetrator is, those who come forward will be listened to and can see justice served.’
The charity said adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk. Children should phone 0800 1111 or go to the charity’s website.