Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years for sexual offences

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 16:03 · Archive

Jeffrey Donaldson, the former DUP leader, was sentenced to 15 years for 18 sexual offences against two women.

Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Newry Crown Court for 18 sexual offences against two women when they were children. Judge Paul Ramsey described his 'catastrophic descent into disgrace'. Donaldson showed no outward emotion as he was ordered to stand and was then led away by two prison staff to serve his sentence at the high-security Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim.

The two women he had abused sat in the public gallery as the judge read extracts from their victim impact statements. One woman described the public nature of the trial as 'horrific', saying 'what has happened has broken me'. The other wept as her statement was read, saying Donaldson had taken away her ability to trust people. She added: 'Every day I pray to God to let me die'. Judge Ramsey said there was 'no doubt whatsoever about the permanent mark this abuse has left on them'.

Donaldson was convicted in June of the offences against the two women. The former DUP leader has been in custody since then, with four months to prepare for his sentencing. Judge Ramsey's entire judgment lasted barely half an hour.

How it is being reported

• No emotion as judge describes Donaldson’s ‘catastrophic descent into disgrace’Just feet away, the two women he had abused sat in the public gallery while extracts from their victim impact statements were read out.Belfast Live · 15 Oct, 15:41
• No emotion as judge describes Donaldson’s ‘catastrophic descent into disgrace’Belfast Telegraph · 15 Oct, 14:43

In this story: Jeffrey Donaldson · DUP · Newry Crown Court · Judge Paul Ramsey · Maghaberry Prison

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