Jeffrey Donaldson appeals conviction for child sexual offences
11 reported
Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader, is appealing his conviction for rape and other sexual offences against two children. His legal team lodged documents with the court of appeal in Belfast on Friday, according to his solicitor, John McBurney. A jury at Newry crown court found Donaldson, 63, guilty last month of 18 sexual offences against two victims who were children at the time of the abuse more than 30 years ago. Donaldson denied all accusations, which spanned 1985 and 2008. He has been held at Maghaberry prison in his former parliamentary constituency of Lagan Valley in advance of sentencing in September. The trial judge, Paul Ramsey, said a custodial sentence was inevitable and would be lengthy. The grounds for appeal potentially include an unsuccessful attempt by Donaldson’s lawyers to separate his criminal trial from the trial of the facts of his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, the BBC reported. Since the verdict, senior DUP figures have gone public with claims of Donaldson being a drunken sex pest during his long political career, stories that contradicted his previous image.
What’s reported
Jeffrey Donaldson is appealing his conviction for rape and other sexual offences against two children.
His legal team lodged documents with the court of appeal in Belfast on Friday, his solicitor John McBurney said.
A jury at Newry crown court found Donaldson guilty last month of 18 sexual offences against two victims who were children at the time of the abuse more than 30 years ago.
Donaldson denied all accusations – one count of rape plus gross indecency and indecent assault – which spanned 1985 and 2008.
He has been held at Maghaberry prison in advance of sentencing in September.
Trial judge Paul Ramsey said a custodial sentence was inevitable and would be lengthy.
Grounds for appeal potentially include an unsuccessful attempt to separate his criminal trial from the trial of the facts of his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, the BBC reported.
Eleanor Donaldson, deemed unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds, was found to have aided and abetted her husband’s offending.
Senior DUP figures have gone public with claims of Donaldson being a drunken sex pest during his long political career.
The DUP has set up a review led by former senior police officer Jim Gamble to establish what people knew about the former leader’s behaviour.
The Stormont assembly has launched a review into alleged abuse or inappropriate behaviour by Donaldson during his tenure as an MLA from 2003 to 2010.
Key figures
Jeffrey Donaldson, former DUP leader, convicted of child sexual offences
John McBurney, Donaldson’s solicitor
Paul Ramsey, trial judge
Eleanor Donaldson, Donaldson’s wife, found to have aided and abetted offending
Jim Gamble, former senior police officer leading DUP review
Sources: The Guardian
