David Vance SubstackRead More
The Jury finally came in and the result is damning.
Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of all 18 child sex abuse charges against him, including one count of rape. The former MP and Privy Councillor had denied the allegations, which related to claims that he sexually abused two women when they were children.
The court heard evidence over the course of the trial from the two complainants, identified as Complainant A and Complainant B to protect their anonymity. Sir Jeffrey gave evidence himself over two days before the jury delivered its verdicts. Following the outcome, the judge said he now faces a lengthy prison sentence and remanded him into custody.
Lady Eleanor Donaldson, his wife, had also faced five charges, including four counts connected to aiding and abetting. However, she cannot be convicted in these proceedings because she was declared unfit to stand a conventional trial and instead is subject to a trial of the facts. She did not take part in the trial. But the Jury determined she had acted as accused.
This marks a dramatic fall from grace for one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent political figures. Donaldson had led the DUP and served as an MP for many years, building a long public career before the allegations emerged. The sentencing hearing is expected to follow, where the court will consider the gravity of the offences, the impact on the victims, and Donaldson’s conduct throughout the proceedings.
The terrible crimes of which he has been convicted took place in the 1990’s. During that turbulent time, I was active on the local political scene and I can remember writing to Donaldson encouraging him to hold the line against rewarding the IRA. He wrote back and we have several correspondence. This was before email and I think I must have them in my files. He seemed so decent and plausible EVEN as he was carrying out the most sickening crimes against children, including his own daughter.
I hope he goes to prison for the rest of his life. I would add that when it comes to child rape, I would favour the death penalty.
