Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson jailed for 15 years for child sex offences

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of 18 child sex offences.

The 63-year-old was found to have committed the crimes between 1985 and 2008, when the two victims were children.

In June, Donaldson was convicted of rape, 13 indecent assaults, and four counts of gross indecency at Newry Crown Court in Northern Ireland. He was told by the judge to expect a "lengthy" sentence.

At the trial, the two victims - referred to in court as Complainant A and Complainant B - offered accounts of the abuse, which started when they were both of primary school age.

Donaldson, once one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians, consistently denied the offences, calling them "simply not true" and "just unbelievable".

The court also found that his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, aided and abetted his crimes.

She faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds which did not result in a criminal conviction.

During a police interview, Mrs Donaldson told officers that the allegations came as a "massive, massive shock".

Asked about the rape, she responded: "I would say that didn't happen. Absolutely not, oh my goodness."

Judge Paul Ramsey said Donaldson had "doubled down on his denials" since his conviction.

"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 added that Donaldson had experienced a "catastrophic descent into disgrace".

The DUP said in a statement: "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.

"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 sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson reflects the "gravity of his crimes and the lifelong harm he inflicted on his victims", the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party has said.

In a statement, Jon Burrows said: "My thoughts remain with the two brave women whose courage brought him to justice, and with their families."

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