Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years

Summary

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex crimes, according to The Guardian, the Financial Times, ABC News and Al Jazeera. The BBC reported before sentencing that he had been convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse, including rape, involving two women when they were children. Al Jazeera reports that the judge said Donaldson had never apologised to his victims and that he is seeking to appeal his convictions.

Timeline

1. BBC

   15 Oct 2026, 05:29 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reported that Donaldson was due to be sentenced after being convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse, including rape, involving two women when they were children.

2. The Guardian

   15 Oct 2026, 10:55 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian's live updates report that Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years for child sexual abuse.

3. Financial Times

   15 Oct 2026, 11:07 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that a Northern Ireland politician was sentenced to 15 years in jail for child sex crimes.

4. ABC News

   15 Oct 2026, 11:36 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that the former leader of Northern Ireland's largest unionist party was sentenced to 15 years for rape and sex abuse.

5. The Guardian

   15 Oct 2026, 12:06 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years for child sexual offences.

6. Al Jazeera

   15 Oct 2026, 20:12 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that the judge said Donaldson had never apologised to his victims and that he is seeking to appeal his convictions.