Former Northern Ireland unionist leader convicted of child sex abuse
7 reported
Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, was convicted Monday at Newry Crown Court of rape and sex abuse charges involving two girls from 1985 to 2008. The 63-year-old was found guilty of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency, and 13 indecent assault charges. His arrest two years ago ended his career as a leading voice for maintaining ties with the United Kingdom, prompting his resignation as leader of the conservative Democratic Unionist Party and his seat in the U.K. Parliament. Donaldson testified over two days, denying all allegations and stating he was “crystal clear” he did not rape one of the girls. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was found to have aided and abetted his offenses by witnessing the abuse and not intervening, but due to mental health issues, she faced only a fact-finding hearing that could not result in a conviction. The two complainants testified that Donaldson groped them when they were around primary school age, and the older complainant said he raped her. Donaldson wrote a letter in 2020 to one complainant expressing regret for “hurt, pain and distress,” but stated the letter did not refer to sex abuse allegations.
What’s reported
Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, former leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, was convicted Monday at Newry Crown Court.
He was found guilty of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency, and 13 indecent assault charges involving two girls from 1985 to 2008.
Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and gave up his U.K. Parliament seat after his arrest two years ago.
He testified over two days, denying all allegations and saying he was “crystal clear” he did not rape one of the girls.
His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was found to have aided and abetted his offenses but faced only a fact-finding hearing due to mental health issues.
The two complainants testified that Donaldson groped them when they were around primary school age; the older complainant said he raped her.
Donaldson wrote a 2020 letter to one complainant expressing regret for “hurt, pain and distress,” but said it did not refer to sex abuse allegations.
Key figures
Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, convicted.
Eleanor Donaldson, his wife, found to have aided and abetted offenses.
Complainant A and Complainant B, the two individuals who said they were abused as children.
Sources: abcnews.com
