Jeffrey Donaldson

[Princesspeaches99]

He's just been found guilty of historical child sexual offences. I'm so glad that justice has been served for the two victims. His vile wife has also been found guilty in her trial of the facts. So many thought they would both be cleared because of who they are.

I was so afraid that these women would not be believed and dismissed (as so often happens) due to the passage of time and lack of physical evidence, with the lawyers pushing the 'doubt' aspect and trying to undermine the testimonies. Relieved that justice will be served.

Good

I'm a bit stunned by the whole thing. It's corny but he just didn't seem the type. Of course there is no type.

wowser.

The cat is giving me very funny looks because of my repeated exclamatory 'oooooooooh' noises.

He always seemed a baddun to me, but would not have known about that particular badness. Extreme smugness and self-regard do not add up to a good person.

1 in 20 kids are sexually abused. The type is men. Often 'lovely, pillar of the community' types. (Not that that particular revolting rapist fits that description)

Rest of his life in prison if there's any justice. No more 'sir' and 'lady'. Those poor women, I'm sad they feel they have to remain anonymous. No shame attaches to them.

'Anonymous' but I think many in NI know their identities. I agree that he doesnt seem the 'type' He seems like a total ponce. I'm so happy that they will be stripped of their titles. I hope it brings them huge amounts of humiliation.

I’m so glad they the two women were listened to and believed. They may decide to waive their anonymity now he has been found guilty. There is so much speculation as to their identity anyway.

I hope he spends the rest of his life in jail. How arrogant to drag them through a trial. He thought he was bulletproof.

I disagree, have we not learned by now that the type often is the father, the family man, the position of power and (people will find this controversial) the person who over eggs their religious faith?

There's lots of speculation but their anonymity deserves to be respected.

I listened to the BBC podcast about the trial every day and my view was that he did it but he'd probably get off. I'm glad to see both women were believed by the jury and hope it helps them find peace.

Highly religious are often suspect to me. Remember the dentist in NI and his lover. That was so bizarre and murderous. The church was asked for advice if I remember correctly and all parties were church goers. Beware the heart on sleeve merchants.

I am so glad for the victims and I hope he gets at least 20 years. Judge did hint that the sentence would be severe.

And what about the Mrs? Is she free now to live out her life with no sanction? If she is mentally ill and unfit, she should be in a suitable place of punishment. But I suspect she was totally controlled by JD. He seems to be that kind of man, but who knows.

You're right , the holier than thou types are often the ones doing the worst things. I would say he is a right creep. Although through the years I was expecting him to come out of the closet tbh. He always had a 'poor me' attitude. And all his affairs, ha.who in their right mind would find him attractive. Gormless freak.

Good - shows that nobody is above the law . I hope the verdict helps his victims to recover. I've just been reading about the trial of facts as I've not heard of it before so although there's no conviction at least it determines that his wife committed the offences she was accused of and the jury believed the victims.
Hopefully his knighthood will be removed swiftly and he receives an appropriate jail sentence

Indeed and in this instance apparently tried to seek absolution / sweep the whole thing under the carpet by going through an informal church-led forgiveness charade. The evidence from which ultimately helped convict him I suspect - but shameful that those that took part in it at the time did not report him to the authorities.

No apparently, it was part of the trial and confirmed.
A fucking church mediation when that nonce and his wife knew exactly what had taken place! That audacity of those two to subject these women to what they have is unbelievable, and still hiding behind his man of god persona.

Frankly the church leader who led that meeting should have his hard drives checked. A meeting between a husband and wife, the church leader and another person I think, basically railroading this young girl who was there on her own.

Thank Christ. Guilty of all 18 charges. I’m so pleased for those brave, brave women.

@Honeyhonay much as I completely agree with what you say, I had to report your post as (although the dogs in the street know who the victims are) they have exercised their legal right to anonymity

This is widely reported information, by several outlets.
Perhaps it was only before the trial, but it has absolutely been published.

So beyond relieved for these women, that they were listened to and believed. How brave they have been.

the fact he dragged them through a trial, having his lawyers try to paint them as liars is absolutely disgusting and proof of the callous, cruel man he is.

what will happen his wife now? Anything?

Nothing! She was found to be aiding and abetting the abuse but as hers was a trail of the facts she’s a completely free woman.

I saw something that if her mental health issues are as bad as they are making out, and they must be bad if she couldn't attend trial (even if she is exaggerating)- she will spend a long time in a mental health unit instead of prison.

There was quite a lot came out about their marriage too - a chronic cheater by the sound of it. All that pious posturing, the Christian 'fish' badge on his lapel. Just another Jekyll and Hyde, like so many other now-disgraced men.

The cynic in me feels her mental health issues only began on her arrest. Very convenient. However I'm sure she is mentally unwell now, well four psychs said so.

Oh 1000%!
My mental health would be in pieces if I was in her position, I imagine it wrecks your nerves being guilty as sin and dragging the accusers through the mud knowing that surely everyone in your life will cut you off if the truth comes out.

Wrong quote - I was replying to the comment that the mental health issues started after the arrest.