A former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party received a 15-year prison sentence for historical child sex offenses.
A court in Northern Ireland sentenced Jeffrey Donaldson to 15 years in prison. He is the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.
Judge Paul Ramsey delivered the sentence on Thursday. He called the case disturbing and noted a medium risk of future crimes.
Next, the court reviewed the long list of convictions. Donaldson faced charges of rape and several counts of indecent assault.
These crimes occurred between 1985 and 2008. The victims were two young girls during that time.
Meanwhile, the former politician denies all wrongdoing. He is currently working to appeal his convictions in court.
Also, the victims spoke about the lasting impact of the abuse. One victim described it as the worst moment of her life.
The other victim mentioned her stolen childhood. Both women shared their stories during the legal trial.
However, the judge noted that Donaldson showed no remorse. He offered no apologies for his actions during the process.
After that, officials confirmed Donaldson will serve half of his sentence. He qualifies for automatic release after seven-and-a-half years.
Then, the court addressed the role of Eleanor Donaldson. The jury found that she aided and abetted her husband.
Finally, the judge ruled she was unfit for trial. Mental health issues prevented her from facing criminal charges.