Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson jailed for 15 years for child sex offences

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of 18 historical child sex offences.

The 63-year-old was found to have committed the crimes between 1985 and 2008, when the two victims were children.

In June, Donaldson was convicted of rape, 13 indecent assaults, and four counts of gross indecency at Newry Crown Court in Northern Ireland. He was told by the judge to expect a "lengthy" sentence.

At the trial, the two victims - referred to in court as Complainant A and Complainant B - offered accounts of the abuse, which started when they were both of primary school age.

Donaldson, once one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians, consistently denied the offences, calling them "simply not true" and "just unbelievable".

The court also found that his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, aided and abetted his crimes.

She faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds which did not result in a criminal conviction.

During a police interview, Mrs Donaldson told officers that the allegations came as a "massive, massive shock".

Asked about the rape, she responded: "I would say that didn't happen. Absolutely not, oh my goodness."

Judge Paul Ramsey said Donaldson had "doubled down on his denials" since his conviction.

"There has not been, and doubtless will not be, one word of regret, apology or shame from this man to at least provide his victims with some crumb of comfort," he said.

He added that Donaldson had experienced a "catastrophic descent into disgrace".

Detective Chief Inspector Leah Crothers, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said of the victims: "Living in silence and fear of the repercussions of telling someone or of not being believed, both brave women have suffered immeasurably as they come to terms with what happened to them as children.

"He robbed them both of their childhood and innocence."

The PSNI also appealed to anyone with any concerns or suspicions relating to the abuse of an adult or a child to get in contact.

The head of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) Serious Crime Unit Catherine Kierans, said the case shows that sexual abuse "can be hidden behind a facade of respectability" and no individual is "beyond the reach of the law".

Donaldson's conviction does not erase the impact of his actions, one victim said in an anonymised statement released through the police.

Victim A said: "My childhood was stolen from me and I will never get it back. The effects of the Donaldsons' actions have bled into every part of my life."

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Victim B said in an anonymised statement: "What happened took away my ability to trust people and, in all honesty, I don't think I really know what trust or love truly is. Nothing can ever change what was done to me. I wish it could."

Following the sentencing, the DUP said in a statement: "Today justice has been done with the sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson for his vile and disgusting crimes against his victims.

"Regardless of status or position every individual must be held accountable for their actions."

A spokesperson for NSPCC Northern Ireland said: "For many years, Jeffrey Donaldson repeatedly sexually abused two girls, causing harm that has had a profound and lasting impact on their lives. In doing so, he also betrayed the trust placed in him as a public figure."

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