Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Sexual Offences

Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, was sentenced on 15 October 2026 to 15 years in prison at Newry Crown Court. The 63-year-old was convicted in June of 18 offences against two women who were children at the time: one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. The offences occurred between 1985 and 2008. Judge Paul Ramsey imposed 11 years for the offences against one victim and four years for the offences against the other, to run consecutively.

The judge told Donaldson that he had undergone a “catastrophic descent into disgrace.” He noted that Donaldson had expressed no regret, apology or shame and had maintained his denial of guilt since the conviction. The court assessed him as medium risk of reoffending. Donaldson will remain on the sex-offenders register indefinitely. He has been held at Maghaberry Prison since the end of the trial and plans to appeal the convictions. His wife Eleanor was found in a separate trial of the facts to have aided and abetted the offending; she was deemed unfit for a full criminal trial on mental-health grounds.

The two victims gave evidence during the four-week trial. One described growing up feeling ashamed and dirty; the other said she prayed every day that God would let her die. The judge said the length of the abuse, the ages of the victims and the permanent mark left on both women were aggravating factors. Donaldson showed little emotion as the sentence was read. He had been stripped of his knighthood in July.

The Democratic Unionist Party issued a statement saying Donaldson “deserves every day of the lengthy prison sentence” for his “vile and disgusting crimes.” The party has disowned its former leader. Donaldson led the DUP from 2021 to 2024 and had been a central figure in unionist politics, including during Brexit negotiations. His arrest two years ago stunned colleagues. The sentence marks the final stage of a public fall from one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent political positions.

The case drew attention because of Donaldson’s former status and the historical nature of the offences. The victims cannot be identified for legal reasons. Court reporting focused on the judge’s remarks about the absence of remorse and the consecutive nature of the sentences. Further proceedings will depend on whether leave to appeal is granted.