Ex-DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson Jailed for 15 Years Over Child Sex Crimes

(Jeffrey Donaldson. Photo credit: Sky News)

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for 18 historical child sex offences.

The abuse took place between 1985 and 2008, when the two victims were children.

In June, a court at Newry Crown Court convicted him of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency.

The judge had warned him to expect a lengthy sentence.

Donaldson, once one of Northern Ireland's best known politicians, had denied the charges throughout.

The court also found that his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, helped him commit the crimes.

She did not face a criminal conviction, because she was tried on the facts on mental health grounds.

Judge Paul Ramsey said Donaldson had "doubled down on his denials" and had shown no regret or apology.

He said the former politician had suffered a "catastrophic descent into disgrace."

Detective Chief Inspector Leah Crothers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the two women had lived in silence and fear for years.

"He robbed them both of their childhood and innocence," she said.

One victim said in a statement: "My childhood was stolen from me and I will never get it back."