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

Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex offences. Judge Paul Ramsey delivered the sentence on Thursday as the 63-year-old looked on without visible reaction.

The judge called the case disturbing and troubling, noting that Donaldson had a medium risk of reoffending and describing his downfall as a severe and shameful collapse of reputation.

Donaldson has been held in custody since June, after being found guilty of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency involving two girls, with offences spanning from 1985 to 2008. He has denied all charges and intends to appeal his convictions.

The case is regarded as one of the most prominent legal proceedings in Northern Ireland in recent years. Donaldson had been among the region's most recognised political figures and its longest-serving member of the British Parliament before his arrest and formal charges in March 2024.

Following the charges, he immediately stepped down as DUP leader, at the time referring to the accusations as being of a historic nature.