Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of rape and indecent assault
A jury found he abused two women as children, and the judge said a lengthy prison sentence was inevitable.
- On Monday, a Newry Crown Court jury convicted former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson of 18 historical sexual offences, including rape and indecent assault, involving two girls between 1985 and 2008.
- Donaldson, 63, previously served as Northern Ireland's longest-serving lawmaker and led the DUP until his March 2024 arrest; he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2016 before vacating his Parliament seat.
- During the trial, Donaldson testified he was "crystal clear" he did not rape the complainant, yet a 2020 letter showed he wrote he regretted the "hurt, pain and distress" he caused.
- A separate trial of the facts found that Eleanor, Donaldson's wife, aided and abetted the crimes, though the court ruled her unfit to stand trial last month due to mental health issues.
- Remanded in custody following Monday's verdict, the former lawmaker will be sentenced on September 25, concluding a career defined by his role as a leading advocate for maintaining historic ties with the United Kingdom.
66 Articles
66 Articles
In Northern Ireland, the former chairman of the pro-British party DUP, Donaldson, has been convicted of sexual abuse by minors.
Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, was found guilty of 18 sexual crimes against minors, after four weeks of hearings. The sentence will be read in September.
Jyllands-Posten
Kristeligt DagbladJeffrey Donaldson, who he Tidligere partideer i Northern Ireland, he mandag kendt skyldig i en række seksuelle overgreb - herunder ét tilfælde af voldtægt - begået mod to piger over en længere årrække. Det...
Former Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of 18 child sex offences, including rape, on Monday. His wife Eleanor was found guilty of aiding and abetting her husband's crimes but will not face charges due to her mental health. Donaldson played a key role in the negotiations following the UK's referendum on leaving the European Union.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
