# Jeffrey Donaldson sexual offence convictions and sentencing > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/jeffrey-donaldson-sexual-offence-convictions-and-appeals > Updated: 2026-10-19T17:13:34.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 4. Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted in June at Newry Crown Court of 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape, involving two women between 1985 and 2008. The victims were primary school-aged children at the time of the abuse. Following the trial, Donaldson was stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council. His legal team has lodged papers to appeal the convictions. Eleanor Donaldson, Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife, faced a ‘trial of the facts’ after being found unfit for a conventional trial on mental health grounds. A jury determined she had aided and abetted her husband’s offences in relation to five charges. She has since lodged an application for leave to appeal that verdict. In October 2026, Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Newry Crown Court. The sentence, to be served consecutively, comprises 11 years for offences against one victim and four years for the other. Due to legal remissions, he is expected to serve seven and a half years in prison followed by seven and a half years on licence. Judge Paul Ramsey described Donaldson’s actions as a “catastrophic descent into disgrace,” noting a lack of regret or apology from the 63-year-old. It was further noted that Donaldson had “doubled down on his denials” and will be required to sign the sex offenders register for life. The DUP has condemned the crimes, stating that Donaldson “deserves every day” of his sentence. In response to the case, both the DUP and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) have launched independent reviews regarding conduct and safeguarding issues. ## Claims - Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Donaldson was convicted of 18 historical sex offences. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Donaldson denied the charges and is seeking to appeal his convictions. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The 18 offences included one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault, and four counts of gross indecency. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Donaldson's behavior led him into a 'catastrophic descent into disgrace.' (corroborated by 7 sources) - The offences were committed against two victims between 1985 and 2008. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The DUP stated that Donaldson 'deserves every day' of his prison sentence. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Eleanor Donaldson was found to have aided and abetted her husband's offences. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Eleanor Donaldson faced a trial of the facts due to mental health grounds. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The DUP issued a statement condemning the crimes and supporting the victims. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Two men sentenced to 15 years for sexual offences Alan Brennan and former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson have each been sentenced to 15 years in prison for various sexual offences against minors. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-men-sentenced-to-15-years-for-sexual-offences ### 2026-10-17: Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years for historic sexual offences Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for 18 historic sexual offences against two women. He will serve seven and a half years behind bars. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jeffrey-donaldson-sentenced-to-15-years-for-historic-sexual-offences ### 2026-10-15: Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years for historical sexual offences Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for 18 historical sexual offences, including rape, committed against two women between 1985 and 2008. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jeffrey-donaldson-to-be-sentenced-for-child-sex-abuse-convictions ### 2026-09-17: Eleanor Donaldson appeals verdict regarding husband's sexual offences Eleanor Donaldson is appealing a jury verdict that she aided and abetted her husband, former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, in his sexual offences against two children. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eleanor-donaldson-appeals-verdict-regarding-husbands-sexual-offences --- Cite as: Jeffrey Donaldson sexual offence convictions and sentencing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/jeffrey-donaldson-sexual-offence-convictions-and-appeals