Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been convicted of sexually assaulting two women when they were children. The former leader of the DUP was found guilty of 18 historical sex offenses, including rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was also found guilty of aiding and abetting in these offenses.
The 63-year-old Northern Irish politician will be sentenced on September 25 at Newry Crown Court. Despite maintaining his innocence, Sir Donaldson was remanded in custody after the verdict. During the trial, the two women, referred to as Complainants A and B, testified about the abuse they endured as children.
Eleanor Donaldson faced charges related to aiding and abetting her husband but could not be criminally convicted due to mental health grounds. Throughout the trial, Sir Donaldson denied the allegations and expressed regret over the distress caused but insisted it was not related to the abuse claims.
Prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh questioned Donaldson’s denial of the allegations, suggesting that he was the one lying. Despite the accusations, Donaldson stood by his innocence and refuted the claims made by the prosecution.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s political career dates back to 1985 when he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He later became the MP for Lagan Valley in 1997, a position he held until 2024 when allegations of sexual abuse surfaced. Despite his past achievements, including receiving a knighthood, Donaldson’s legacy is now tainted by these criminal convictions.
