Key facts
- Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years for sexual offenses against two women who were children when abused.
- He was found guilty of 18 counts of sexual abuse, including rape, between 1985 and 2008.
- His wife, Eleanor, faced a trial of the facts due to mental health grounds.
- Donaldson plans to appeal the sentence.
- King Charles stripped Donaldson of his knighthood in July.
Jeffrey Donaldson, a former leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday for sexual offenses against two women who were children at the time of the abuse. The sentence was delivered at Newry crown court.
Donaldson, 63, received 11 years for rape against complainant B and four years for offenses against complainant A, to be served consecutively. He was found guilty in June of 18 counts of sexual abuse, spanning from 1985 to 2008. He denies all wrongdoing and plans to appeal.
Judge Paul Ramsey described Donaldson's downfall as a "catastrophic descent into disgrace," noting his lack of remorse. The judge praised the courage of the victims, who were present in court. Donaldson's wife, Eleanor, 60, was deemed unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds and faced a trial of the facts; her case will return to court on November 13, 2026.