Jeffrey Donaldson, Ex DUP Leader, Found Guilty of 18 Charges in Relation to Historical Child Sexual Abuse

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has been found guilty of 18 charges related to historical child sexual abuse between 1985 and 2008.  The former Democratic Unionist Party Leader has been found guilty of rape, four counts of gross indecency, 13 counts of indecent assault against two women when they were children.

His wife, Eleanor Donaldson has faced five charges, four of these are for aiding and abetting Donaldson’s crimes. She was deemed unfit to stand trial due to her mental health and has instead faced a trial of the facts, where she has been found to have done all the acts she has been accused of.

Throughout the policed investigation and the trial Donaldson has continued to deny all the charges, pleading not guilty. The police interview with Jeffrey Donaldson was played in court, when asked about the rape in the interview, the 63-year-old replied, ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t get my head around this notion’. When Donaldson was asked about a specific incident complainant A described where he used a light to look at her body, he claimed he wasn’t doing anything untoward’.

Complainant A alleged that she was abused by Donaldson between 1999 and 2008, the abuse first occurred when she was primary-school age. She describes an incident when she was in secondary school where Donaldson put his tongue in her mouth and touched her breasts ‘skin on skin’, she claims that Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife proceeded to laugh this off. The prosecutor revealed that Donaldson had sent a letter to complainant A in 2020, expressing regret for causing ‘hurt, pain, and distress’ and asked for forgiveness for his ‘sinful nature’. Donaldson explained that the apologies in this letter related to other matters and not the abuse he was accused of committing.

Complainant B, the older of the two, claims that she was abused by Donaldson between 1985 and 1991. She describes one incident that she ‘vividly’ remembers where the former DUP leader put his hand down her underwear, pulled her legs apart with his feet, and raped her. She confirmed that this occurred when she was also primary school age. When Donaldson was asked about the rape, he told the jury that ‘it just didn’t happen, I am absolutely crystal clear about that.’

Despite the ex-MP denying the abuse and his defence trying to discredit the complainants, Donaldson has been found guilty and now awaits sentencing following a hearing in September. Judge Paul Ramsey said a ‘lengthy’ prison sentence is inevitable. The 63 year old has also been added to the sex offender registry.

Jon Burrows, the UUP leader, has commented on this case saying ‘no matter what your title, no matter what your status, no matter how much power you have in society, you are all under equal law.’

Jordans Solicitors – helping victims of sexual abuse claim compensation.

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.

Our Sexual Abuse Compensation Team can be contacted by telephoning 08009555094 or 03303001103.