Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, is expected to receive his sentence in October following his conviction on 18 counts of child sex abuse. A review hearing at Newry Crown Court on 25 September will hear submissions from prosecutors and the defence before Judge Paul Ramsey passes sentence later that month.
Donaldson was convicted on 22 June after a four-week trial in which a jury of seven men and five women deliberated for 10 hours across three days. According to reporting on the trial, the 18 offences comprised one rape, 13 indecent assault charges, and four gross indecency charges. The abuse spanned from 1985 to 2008 and involved two women who were children at the time of the offences. The 63-year-old is currently held in Maghaberry Prison as he awaits sentencing and was not present at the recent court hearing.
During the hearing, Judge Paul Ramsey confirmed he had received two victim impact reports from the complainants. He noted that additional reports, including medical assessments, were still outstanding and would be required before sentencing could take place.
"I will not be sentencing the defendant until later some time in October,"the judge told the court.
Judge Ramsey also took the opportunity to commend the media coverage of the case. He expressed that he had been
"impressed with the care and accuracy"of reporting by both print and broadcast outlets throughout the trial.
What about Donaldson's appeal?
Following his conviction, Donaldson has lodged an appeal against his convictions. According to reports on the appeal process, a decision on whether he will be granted leave to appeal is expected in September, with a possible appeal hearing as early as October if permission is granted. This timeline means the appeal decision could come around the same time as his sentencing hearing.
What was Eleanor Donaldson's outcome?
Donaldson's wife, Eleanor Donaldson, faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds, meaning the jury was asked to determine whether she carried out the acts of which she was accused rather than whether she was guilty in the traditional sense. She did not participate in proceedings. The jury found that she had committed the acts in relation to all five charges against her, including four counts of aiding and abetting her husband's offending. She will be dealt with under the Mental Health Order rather than through the standard criminal justice process.
What happens next?
According to court scheduling information, Newry Crown Court will reconvene on 25 September 2026 to hear legal submissions from both the prosecution and defence. Following those submissions, Judge Paul Ramsey is expected to pass sentence sometime in October 2026, though no specific date has been set. At the time of his conviction, the judge indicated that Donaldson faced a likely lengthy custodial sentence.
Key Facts:
- Donaldson was convicted on 22 June of 18 counts of child sex abuse involving two women abused between 1985 and 2008
- He is currently remanded in Maghaberry Prison pending sentencing in October 2026
- A pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled for 25 September 2026 at Newry Crown Court
- Donaldson has lodged an appeal against his convictions, with a decision on leave to appeal expected in September
- His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was found to have committed the acts in relation to all five charges against her and will be dealt with under the Mental Health Order
