Jeffrey Donaldson sentencing set for next month after pre-sentence hearing

The former DUP leader and Westminster MP was convicted in June of rape and 17 other sexual offences. Sentencing is expected next month at Newry Crown Court.

Victims face Donaldson in court as sentencing submissions conclude

The two women abused by former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sat in the public gallery at Newry Crown Court on Thursday as lawyers made their final pre-sentence submissions, according to the Irish Independent. Both victims, who had testified via secure video link during the trial to avoid facing the disgraced politician in person, were present alongside the police team that had secured his conviction.

Donaldson, 63, was convicted in June of the rape of one young girl and 17 further sexual offences against her and a second victim. The offending spanned more than two decades, from 1985 to 2008, beginning when both girls were of primary school age. He was transported to the courthouse from Maghaberry Jail, where he has been held on remand, and continues to deny his guilt.

Judge Paul Ramsey heard submissions from both prosecution and defence barristers before stating he would impose sentence once he had considered the arguments put before him.

Prosecution sets out aggravating factors

Prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC outlined several aggravating factors for the judge to weigh, including the young age of the victims, the significant age gap between them and Donaldson, the lasting impact of the abuse, and the prolonged duration of the offending.

Judge Ramsey had already received victim impact statements from both women ahead of the hearing. Walsh told the court that the first complainant, referred to as Complaint B, had described the abuse as "the worst moment of her life" and the trial process as a "terrible experience". B had been left, in Walsh's words, not knowing "what love or trust really are" and feeling compelled to "fight every day". She also spoke of guilt at not having reported the offending sooner, and the thought that she might have been able to stop him had she done so.

The second complainant, Complaint A, felt her "childhood had been stolen from her" and had carried a sense of shame throughout her adult life. She was left with "simmering anger" and had questioned her self-worth, struggling to maintain appearances to those around her. Walsh told the court that A's "trust in others had been badly affected" and that she felt "exhausted from carrying the weight of the abuse on her shoulders for so long". The public profile of the trial had also forced A to make changes to both her professional and personal life.

Defence lawyers also made submissions on the appropriate sentence. The court heard that Donaldson's conviction "obliterates all the achievements he has made in his life".

Eleanor Donaldson's case adjourned to November

The hearing also addressed the situation of Donaldson's wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60. She was not tried alongside her husband but was instead subject to a non-criminal process known as a trial of the facts, owing to concerns about her mental health. The court found that she had committed the acts alleged against her, including aiding and abetting her husband's offending.

Eleanor Donaldson will be dealt with under the Mental Health Order. The options available to Judge Ramsey include a treatment order, a supervision order, or an absolute discharge. Her case has been listed for 13 November, by which point the judge will have received and assessed final medical reports.

Both Jeffrey and Eleanor Donaldson have lodged appeal papers with the courts.

Sentence expected next month

As Donaldson was taken down by custody officers at the conclusion of Thursday's hearing, both of his victims watched from the gallery. A court has previously heard that the former MP for Lagan Valley could face up to 12 years in prison.

Judge Ramsey is expected to impose sentence next month, once he has completed his consideration of the pre-sentence submissions received from both sides.

Source: Irish Independent