Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), was sentenced on Thursday to 15 years in prison for 18 counts of sex abuse, including rape, against two women when they were children.
The former Lagan Valley MP was convicted in June 2026 of sex offences against two females, referred to as Victim A and Victim B. Judge Paul Ramsey stated during sentencing that Donaldson's crimes led to a "catastrophic descent into disgrace."
Donaldson received an 11-year sentence for crimes against Victim B and four years for offences against Victim A. He is required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and is seeking to appeal his convictions.
Ian Acheson, a former HM Prison Service governor, said Donaldson's protection from harm inside jail would be a "massive risk-management headache" for prison bosses. Acheson noted that prisoners convicted of sexual violence against a minor are among the most vulnerable to hostility from other inmates.
Donaldson, who denied the charges, is thought to be housed in the Moyola Unit at Maghaberry prison, which primarily holds prisoners with health issues, for his own safety. He reportedly spends up to 18 hours a day in his cell, reading books from the prison library.