Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for historical sex offences.

He was convicted in June of 18 charges against two women when they were children, including one count of rape.

In handing down sentence today the judge described it as a 'catastrophic descent into disgrace' for the former DUP leader.

In a statement the DUP says justice has been done with the sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson for his vile and disgusting crimes against his victims.

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