Jeffrey Donaldson sentencing: DUP says 'he deserves every day of prison sentence for preying on innocent child victims'

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been given a 15-year jail sentence today at Newry Crown Court for a series of historical sex offences against two women when they were children.

Responding to the sentence, the DUP said the former party leader deserved every day of his sentence.

Handing down the sentence, the judge told Donaldson he had “doubled down on his denials” since his conviction for the offences committed between 1985 and 2008.

In a statement, his former party condemned the crimes for which he has now been sentenced.

“Today justice has been done with the sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson for his vile and disgusting crimes against his victims,” the DUP said.

"Our first thoughts are again with the innocent victims, who having suffered such evil, were re-traumatised through giving evidence at the trial.

"They deserve our compassion, support and respect. We hope they can find some measure of comfort and can look ahead to a new chapter in their lives.

“Regardless of status or position every individual must be held accountable for their actions.

“He deserves every day of the lengthy prison sentence he has to serve following the guilty verdict for preying on innocent child victims.”