Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted in June of 18 child sex-abuse counts, including a rape count, against two women when they were children. Prosecution and defence made pre-sentence submissions; he is seeking to appeal, and sentencing is due next month.
Defence barrister Keiron Vaughan KC said there had been no offending of this type in the previous 18 years and described Donaldson as having been of “previous good character”. He accepted the convictions “obliterate” Donaldson’s achievements. Prosecutor Rosemary Walsh KC relayed the victims’ accounts: one felt her childhood had been “stolen” and said anger simmered beneath the surface; the other said the abuse affected every day and relationship and that she had to fight a daily wish to die.
Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor, faced a trial of the facts on mental-health grounds and was not required to participate. She was accused of five related charges, including four counts of aiding and abetting, and was found to have done the acts alleged. She plans to appeal that verdict.
