Rome, 15 Oct. (LaPresse) – The former leader of Northern Ireland’s main unionist party, Jeffrey Donaldson, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape and sexual abuse of two women who, according to *The Guardian*, were still children at the time of the offences. Donaldson, 63, was one of Northern Ireland’s best-known politicians until, two years ago, his arrest shocked his colleagues and the whole of society. In June, he was found guilty of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of sexual assault, covering a period between 1985 and 2008. He had denied the charges. Donaldson led the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – the main party in favour of Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom – from 2021 to 2024. Following his arrest, he resigned as leader of the DUP, a conservative party, and gave up his seat in the British House of Commons, which he had held since 1997.
Northern Ireland: former unionist leader sentenced to 15 years for sexual offences against children
Rome, 15 Oct. (LaPresse) – The former leader of Northern Ireland’s main unionist party, Jeffrey Donaldson, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape and sexual abuse of two women who, according to *The Guardian*, were still children at the time of the offences. Donaldson, 63, was one of Northern Ireland’s best-known politicians until, two years ago, his arrest shocked his colleagues and the whole of society. In June, he was found guilty of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of sexual assault, covering a period between 1985 and 2008. He had denied the charges. Donaldson led the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – the main party in favour of Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom – from 2021 to 2024. Following his arrest, he resigned as leader of the DUP, a conservative party, and gave up his seat in the British House of Commons, which he had held since 1997.