Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of child sexual offences including rape

Former DUP leader convicted of 18 offences against two victims after high-profile trial that gripped Northern Ireland

Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of child sexual offences including rape

TL;DR

  • Jeffrey Donaldson, former DUP leader, found guilty of 18 sexual offenses against two child victims.
  • Offenses include rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency, occurring between 1985 and 2008.
  • Donaldson's wife, Eleanor, was found to have aided and abetted his offending.
  • The verdict marks a significant fall for a prominent unionist political figure.
  • Victims reported the abuse in 2024 after decades of silence.
  • Political leaders have condemned Donaldson's actions and called for his knighthood to be revoked.
  • Donaldson stood down as an MP and resigned from the DUP following his arrest in March 2024.