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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years for child sexual offences

Jeffrey Donaldson Democratic Unionist party Eleanor sexual assault Sexual Abuse
Former DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry courthouse, walking past photographers
After sentencing the former Lagan Valley MP was returned to Maghaberry prison, where he has been held since his conviction. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years for sexual offences against two women who were children when he abused them, completing what was described as a “catastrophic descent into disgrace”.

The sentence at Newry crown court on Thursday sealed the downfall of a former Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader who once dominated unionism in Northern Ireland.

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