Woman jailed for breaching anonymity of Donaldson victims

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 12 Oct, 11:56 · Archive

A woman has been sentenced to three months in prison for breaching the anonymity of victims of sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson.

Donna Toman, 55, from Lord Moira Park in Ballynahinch, has been sentenced to three months in jail for breaching the anonymity of one of the victims of Jeffrey Donaldson. She appeared before Downpatrick Magistrates' Court on Monday after previously pleading guilty to the charge of breaching a lifetime ban on reporting.

While Toman did not name the victim, she posted information on social media that meant it was likely members of the public would be able to identify her. All victims of sex offences are given anonymity for life under the law.

Donaldson, who was an MP from 1997 until 2024 and a former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, was convicted in June of 18 counts of sex abuse including one count of rape. These offences related to the abuse of two women when they were children. The judge told him at sentencing that the sentence would be a lengthy one.

Donaldson has since announced he intends to appeal his convictions. Toman was released on bail pending her own appeal of the sentencing.

How it is being reported

• Woman jailed for three months for breaching anonymity of Donaldson victimsBelfast Telegraph · 12 Oct, 12:48
• Woman handed prison sentence for breaching anonymity of Jeffrey Donaldson's victimsDonna Toman previously pled guilty to breaching a lifetime ban on publishing information likely to lead to the identification of the victims.Belfast Live · 12 Oct, 11:34
• Woman sentenced for breaching the anonymity of Donaldson victimsA Northern Ireland woman has been sentenced to three months in jail for breaching the anonymity of the victims of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.News Letter · 12 Oct, 11:27
• Woman jailed for breaching anonymity order in Jeffrey Donaldson caseWhile she did not name the victim, Donna Toman gave information which meant it was likely members of the public would be able to identify her.BBC Northern Ireland · 12 Oct, 11:24
• Woman who breached anonymity of Jeffrey Donaldson victim given prison sentenceBelfast Telegraph · 12 Oct, 11:19

In this story: Donna Toman · Jeffrey Donaldson · Ballynahinch · Democratic Unionist Party · Downpatrick Magistrates' Court

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