Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in Ireland, convicted of sexual offenses

Jeffrey Donaldson, a prominent political figure from Northern Ireland and former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has been found guilty on all 18 counts against him, including 13 counts of sexual assault, four counts of gross indecency, and one count of rape. The verdict was delivered on Monday, after three days of jury deliberations at the Crown Court in Newry, relating to offenses committed between 1985 and 2008 against two minors. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was considered an accomplice but will not be held accountable due to her mental state. The judge ordered that Donaldson remain in custody until sentencing on September 25, warning him that he will be included in the National Sex Offenders Register. The trial included testimonies from the victims, who recounted the assaults they suffered in childhood, while Donaldson denied the allegations, calling them lies. The context of his political downfall was marked by his suspension from the DUP, immediately after his arrest.