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Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex abuse
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Former Northern Ireland politician and DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of 18 charges, including rape, following an investigation sparked by two women coming forward to report historical child abuse. Donaldson's wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was also found to have committed acts related to five charges, including aiding and abetting. Following his conviction, Donaldson was stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council, while political institutions and organisations severed ties.
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- Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Newry Crown Court after being convicted of 18 charges, including rape.
- The police investigation began in March 2024 after two women reported they had been abused as children by Donaldson.
- Both victims provided powerful impact statements detailing the severe long-term emotional and physical effects of the abuse.
- Eleanor Donaldson faced a trial of the facts and was found to have committed acts on five charges, including aiding and abetting.
- Following his conviction, Donaldson was stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council, and his successor condemned his crimes as heinous.