Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by a judge in Newry Crown Court.
The former DUP leader and MP for Lagan Valley was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse, including rape, against two women when they were children.
Judge Paul Ramsey sentenced him to 11 years for his offences committed against Complainant B and a further four for his offending against Victim A. The sentences will be served consecutively.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Paul Ramsey said the paedophile’s behaviour had led him into a "catastrophic descent into disgrace".
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He also noted that aggravating factors that influenced the lengthy sentence include the age of the victims, Donaldson’s decision to plead not guilty and his utter lack of remorse for his crimes.
The only mitigating factor was the lack of prior convictions.
"In this case it is highly significant that the defendant denied the offences to the police, he denied them in evidence and to the probation officer he continues to maintain his denials," the judge told the court.
"He has doubled-down in his denials.
“There has not been and doubtless will not be one word of regret, apology or shame from this man to at least provide his victims with some crumb of comfort."
On The Claire Byrne Show, reporter Emily Keegan said a pre-sentencing report found that Donaldson is of “medium risk” of re-offending.
“[The judge] asked Jeffrey Donaldson to stand when he read out his sentence to him,” Ms Keegan said.
“There has been no reaction from Jeffrey Donaldson throughout this entire case.
“He gave very little reaction to anything during the trial, only to maybe shake his head every once in a while when something was said.”
It is understood that Donaldson plans to appeal his sentence.
Main image: Jeffrey Donaldson. Picture by: PA Wire/PA Images/Alamy.com.
