Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Lisa O’Carroll Senior correspondent

Jeffrey Donaldson could face more than 10 years in jail for child sexual abuse, court told

Court sketch of Jeffrey Donaldson in a dark suit standing between two security guards whose faces have been blurred
Court artist drawing of Jeffrey Donaldson appearing at Newry court on 25 September 2026. Photograph: Elizabeth Cook/PA

Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist party in Northern Ireland, could be sent to prison for more than 10 years over the sexual assault of two women when they were children, a court heard on Friday.

The disgraced politician, who headed the DUP between 2021 and 2024, was found guilty of 18 counts of sexual abuse including one count of rape against the women in June.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.