JusticeJeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years—but remission halves his prison termAired October 15, 2026 at 6:32 PM UTCWritten October 15, 2026 at 6:36 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Jeffrey Donaldson will spend seven and a half years in prison under a 15-year0:11sentence.0:11The former Democratic Unionist Party leader has been convicted of sexually abusing0:15two children.0:16Both are now women who described harm that reaches into every part of their lives.0:20What restrictions follow him out of prison is only partly settled.0:23Judge Paul Ramsey sentenced Donaldson, who's 63, at Newry Crown Court in Northern0:27Ireland on October 15th.0:29The court imposed 11 years for offenses against one victim, including rape, followed0:34by four years for offenses against the other.0:36The 11-year and four-year terms run consecutively, so they follow one another.0:41Together, that's 15 years.0:43But the older sentencing rules give Donaldson automatic 50% remission, bringing the0:48time in prison to 7.5 years.0:50Donaldson's offenses fall under the framework that applied before the 20080:54sentencing changes.0:55The 7.5 year calculation follows those rules.0:59It doesn't give us a calendar release date, and the precise arrangements for1:02supervision after remission are still unclear.1:05The disagreement concerns whether Donaldson will be on formal license with probation1:09supervision after remission.1:11The court's clarification settles his prison time but leaves that point unanswered.1:15Separate court orders will restrict him after release.1:18Donaldson must remain on the sex offender's register for life.1:21A sexual offenses prevention order will also last for 10 years from release.1:25It requires an approved address for living and overnight stays and restricts1:29activities that would give him access to children.1:31He'll need approval for unsupervised contact or communication with under-18s, apart1:36from inadvertent contact.1:37He must disclose his record before romantic or sexual relationships, and he can't1:42contact the victims or their families without approval.1:44He's also prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults.1:48Donaldson returned to Maggaberry prison after sentencing.1:51He'd been held there since the jury unanimously convicted him on June 22nd.1:55The jury found him guilty of all 18 offenses, one rape, 13 indecent assaults, and2:00four offenses of gross indecency.2:03The offending stretched from 1985 to 2008.2:06Offenses against one child, including rape, covered 1985 to 1991.2:12Those against the other covered 1999 to 2008.2:16Their identities remain protected.2:18Ramsey cited their youth, the age difference, and the prolonged abuse as factors2:22making the offenses more serious.2:24Ramsey said, There has not been, and doubtless will not be one word of regret,2:29apology, or shame from this man to at least provide his victims with some crumb of2:32comfort.2:33The judge said Donaldson had doubled down on his denials and assessed a medium2:37likelihood of reoffending.2:38He called the case disturbing and disquieting.2:41Donaldson's fall from the very heights of public office, he said, was a catastrophic2:45descent into disgrace.2:46The abuse had left a permanent mark on the victims.2:49One woman said, My childhood was stolen from me and I will never get that back.2:53She described growing up feeling ashamed and dirty.2:56The impact, she said, did not stop when the abuse ended.3:00She said she'd survived by shedding away her emotions, trusting no one and expecting3:04people to hurt her.3:05She described the last several years as a living nightmare and the trial as3:08traumatizing.3:09She also expressed her determination, the cycle is being broken and it ends with me.3:14The other woman told the court, I want the court to understand that what he did to3:18me has broken me.3:19She said the abuse affected every day and every relationship and had taken away her3:23ability to trust people.3:25Her distress included these words.3:27Every day I pray God will let me die.3:29She wondered who she would have been without the abuse.3:32The women described consequences that continued through adulthood, long after the3:36offending ended.3:37The DUP said justice has been done and offered the victims compassion, support, and3:42respect.3:42The party said everyone must be held accountable regardless of status or position.3:47It said Donaldson deserved every day of the prison sentence he has to serve.3:50Donaldson has already lodged papers seeking permission to appeal his convictions.3:54He applied to the Court of Appeal in July.3:56By sentencing, permission hadn't been decided.3:58His convictions and sentence remain in force.4:00His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, is seeking to challenge findings against her.4:05In May, Ramsey found her unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds after4:09psychiatric evidence.4:11Her case went through a separate procedure called a trial of the facts.4:14The jury found she'd done the acts alleged on five charges.4:18Four concerned aiding and abetting her husband's offending, and one concerned child4:21cruelty.4:22That procedure produced findings about those acts.4:25It didn't result in criminal convictions.4:27A trial of the facts can't lead to imprisonment.4:30The court's options include hospital or guardianship orders, supervision and4:33treatment, or an absolute discharge.4:35As of October 15th, the court hadn't made its final decision in her case.4:39Her application for permission to appeal the findings became public on September4:4317th.4:44Her case is listed to return to court on November 13th for a hearing concerning its4:48conclusion.4:49The court still has to decide what final order to make.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗