Former DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted for 18 historic sexual offences against two women when they were children. 

It seems that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson hadn't expected to be found guilty of historical sex offences as he reportedly had a plan to leave the country after the court case.

Judge Paul Ramsey sentenced Donaldson to 15 years, of which half will be spent in prison and the remainder under supervision in the community on licence.

When going through the Sunday papers on The Pat Kenny Show, Irish Daily Mail Political Editor Craig Hughes shared how the outlet had revealed on Saturday that Mr Donaldson had a plan to move to Northern Africa if he was found not guilty.

Mr Hughes explained: "[He is] a heinous man who has shown no contrition for the crimes he's been found guilty of.

"And our newspaper, the Irish Daily Mail, was reporting [on Saturday] that he had planned to to start a new life in Northern Africa after the trial.

"He didn't think he was going to be found guilty. He had plans to go there straight after the court and had some job, potential job opportunities, lined up there as well where he planned to start a new life.

"The reports we've seen so far about him show how he's been taking great solace and reading his Bible every night, while at the same time, showing no contrition and or no remorse for the crimes that he has been found guilty of."

Donaldson was convicted in June of sex offences against the two females referred to in the trial as Victim A and Victim B.

He was sentenced to 11 years for offences against Victim B and four years for those against Victim A.

Along with his sentence, he will also be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Mr Donaldson denied the charges and is seeking to appeal his convictions.

Main image: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at Newry Crown Court Pic: Alamy Stock Photo