Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson Jailed for Child Sex Abuse

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex offences that his wife helped conceal for more than two decades.

Donaldson, 63, was unanimously convicted in June of 18 offences against two victims committed over a 23-year period. His wife, Eleanor, 60, was found to have actively concealed the abuse.

The offences involved two girls and took place between 1985 and 2008. They included one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency.

Donaldson was arrested and charged in 2024, when he was one of Northern Ireland’s best-known politicians. His prosecution marked what the sentencing judge described as a “catastrophic descent into disgrace”.

He denied the allegations, describing them as “unbelievable”, but the jury rejected his claims. Donaldson, who was knighted in 2016 before losing the honour this year, has since said he intends to appeal his convictions.

Separately, Eleanor Donaldson was found to have aided and abetted her husband by turning a blind eye, despite witnessing some of the abuse. She was too ill to stand trial, so the allegations were examined during a trial of the facts.

Donaldson’s offences against Victim A began when she was of primary school age. He kissed her, put his tongue in her mouth, groped her beneath her clothing and used a light to look at her naked body.

Victim B was also in primary school when Donaldson raped her. He indecently assaulted her on nine occasions, including once in front of his wife.

“Every day I pray God will let me die,” Victim B said in a written impact statement read to the court.

When Donaldson’s wife witnessed one of the assaults, she did not intervene. Instead, she walked away and pulled the door closed behind her.

She was previously found to have carried out the acts alleged in five charges, including four relating to aiding and abetting her husband’s abuse.

The trial of the facts was not a criminal proceeding but a fact-finding hearing held because Eleanor Donaldson was considered physically or mentally unfit to stand trial. She is due to return to court for a further hearing on November 13.

Sentencing Donaldson at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Paul Ramsey said the “disturbing” case had involved the former politician “stoutly” denying his guilt, while showing no responsibility for his actions or empathy for his victims.

“It is only through the courage, resourcefulness and determination of two young women that you’ve been brought to justice for the crimes you committed against them when they were children,” he said.

Harrowing impact statements described the lasting effects of the abuse on Victim A, including persistent anxiety, nightmares and extremely low self-worth.

The court heard that she grew up feeling dirty and ashamed, while also carrying intense anger.

Victim B said the abuse had affected every relationship she had experienced throughout her life.

‘Every day I pray God will let me die,’ she added. ‘I wonder what it is like not to be afraid at night.’

Judge Ramsey jailed Donaldson for 11 years for the offences committed against Victim B, and four years for those against Victim A. The sentences will run consecutively.

He told Donaldson he had ‘doubled down on his denials’ since his conviction, and that he had been assessed as medium risk of reoffending.

‘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 Donaldson had experienced a ‘catastrophic descent into disgrace’.

The former politician remained emotionless before being returned to custody to begin his sentence. He has been in Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim awaiting sentencing since the end of the trial in June.

Speaking after the case in statements issued through the PSNI, Victim B said: ‘What happened to me as a child has affected everything since then, every day and every relationship I have ever had.

‘At times I wonder who I would be if this hadn’t happened to me. What would it be like not to be afraid at night, not to wake up shaking, not to have nightmares and not to lock away every feeling I have?

‘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.

‘I stood up, many years later, because for me this is about drawing a line in the sand and knowing that the Donaldsons can no longer hurt anyone else.

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‘Many people get to look ahead and plan their lives with hope, I’ve never known what that feels like. My hope was taken away from me a long time ago.’

Victim A said: ‘My childhood was stolen from me and I will never get it back. The effects of the Donaldson’s actions have bled into every part of my life. Although the offences happened in the past, their impact did not end when the abuse ended.

‘For years I carried shame, anger and guilt, and questioned whether I was worth protecting or worthy of being loved. I learnt to survive by shutting away my emotions, trusting no one and expecting people to hurt me. 

‘I became strong, resilient and fiercely independent, but those qualities came at a cost. I should never have had to become this strong.

‘The last few years have been nothing short of a battle. The conviction does not erase the abuse or undo the impact of what happened to me, and I will always carry the consequences of it. 

‘But those responsible do not control me now. They forever changed me, but they will not take my future. The cycle is being broken and it ends with me.’

Donaldson was first elected to Parliament in 1997 and was the longest-serving Northern Ireland MP, representing Lagan Valley in County Down.

He resigned as head of the DUP, which had since launched a ‘focused, independent review’ to establish what was known within the party about Donaldson’s conduct.

After his conviction, Donaldson was stripped of his knighthood. 

Speaking outside court on Thursday, Det Ch Insp Leah Crothers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said both of his victims have ‘suffered immeasurably as they come to terms with what has happened to them as children. He robbed them both of their childhood and innocence.’

She added: ‘The police service and our criminal justice system has sent a clear message: no-one is above the law.’

After the sentencing, the DUP said Donaldson ‘deserves every day of the lengthy prison service he has to serve’.

A spokesperson said: ‘Today justice has been done with the sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson for his vile and disgusting crimes against his victims.

‘Our first thoughts are again with the innocent victims, who having suffered such evil, were re-traumatised through giving evidence at the trial.

‘They deserve our compassion, support and respect. We hope they can find some measure of comfort and can look ahead to a new chapter in their lives.’

The party added: ‘Regardless of status or position every individual must be held accountable for their actions.

‘He deserves every day of the lengthy prison sentence he has to serve following the guilty verdict for preying on innocent child victims.’

The Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, which Donaldson was previously affiliated with, Jon Burrows said: ‘My thoughts remain with the two brave women whose courage brought him to justice, and with their families.

‘No sentence can give back what was taken from them. But today’s outcome is the clearest possible statement that no office, no status and no reputation places anyone above the law, and that the courage of victims who come forward will be met with the full weight of justice.’

Mr Burrows added that the UUP’s own independent safeguarding review into Donaldson’s years within the party continues, adding: ‘The party will act on whatever it finds.’

The UUP leader also paid tribute to the ‘profound service’ of charities and support organisations for survivors of historical abuse.

The Head of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) Serious Crime Unit Catherine Kierans said: ‘Child sexual abuse is a heinous crime. Jeffrey Donaldson exploited his young victims, causing profound and lasting harm that they continue to live with to this day. Despite the devastation he has caused, he has never accepted responsibility for his offending, nor shown any remorse.

‘Jeffrey Donaldson held a prominent public position. This case shows that sexual abuse can be hidden behind a facade of respectability. It also shows that no individual, irrespective of their position, status or public reputation, is beyond the reach of the law.’

She added: ‘I want to pay tribute to the victims in this case. We recognise that it took great courage to speak out. Victims of sexual abuse should never feel shame for what was done to them. The shame belongs solely to those who commit these offences.

‘We know that the criminal justice outcome will not heal all the hurt these two incredibly brave women have experienced. However, we hope it will be of some comfort to them as they look to the future.’

Following the sentencing, NSPCC Northern Ireland said Donaldson ‘betrayed the trust placed in him as a public figure’.

In a statement, it said: ‘Both women showed incredible courage in giving evidence, and we hope they can now begin to move forward in their lives knowing their abuser has been held accountable.

‘Child sexual abuse can have a devastating impact on victims, and it is vital they receive the support they need.

‘This case highlights that no matter how long ago the abuse took place, or who the perpetrator is, those who come forward will be listened to and can see justice served.’

The charity said adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk. Children should phone 0800 1111 or go to the charity’s website.