Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has been sentenced to a total of 15 years for sexual offences. The sentence was handed down at Newry crown court on Thursday for offences against two women who were children when the abuse occurred decades ago.
Mr Donaldson, 63, was found guilty in June of 18 counts of sexual abuse, which included one count of rape. The offences took place between 1985 and 2008. Judge Paul Ramsey stated that the offences merited a lengthy jail term.
The sentencing hearing in Newry, 40 miles south of Belfast, saw a notable police and media presence. Mr Donaldson, a former Lagan Valley MP, is expected to return to Maghaberry prison, where he has been held since his conviction. He intends to appeal the sentence.
The DUP has disowned its former leader and condemned his crimes. His wife, Eleanor, 60, was found by the jury in a trial of the facts to have aided and abetted her husband's offending, though she was deemed unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.