The DUP thread

[David McKeown]

I don't know enough about the exact facts and timeline to predict it exactly.

It's also a highly complicated sentencing exercise. You have to apply today's standards to the guidance in place at the time of the offending then consider if that's acceptable by today's standard all while be capped at the maximum sentence available at any stage between the commission of the offence and today.

Also if any of the offences occurred after 1st April 2009 there's different types of sentences will have to be imposed.

If they didn't then he won't have to worry about being assessed as dangerous or having to serve a licence period. He will be entitled to 60% remission.

Also contesting the matter is not an aggravating feature. Credit is afforded if you don't buy you aren't punished for contesting.

With that said if there was a gun to my head I'd say 6-7 years meaning 3 to 3.5 years in custody but without knowing exact details that's speculation on my part and a range of 4-10 is possible (again with only have been served in custody)

Interesting David.

What's the likelihood of appeal? Have read that he may have a case that the joint trial with the wife led to prejudicial evidence against him from her side of the house.

It's been reported that he has appealed.

I think I mentioned it during the trial but the general rule is that evidence of a co-accused is inadmissible unless it's given from the witness box. As a result of the nature of how the case proceeded the jury would have heard a considerable amount of evidence that wouldn't have been admissible had the trials been dealt with separately. Added to that a lot of it wouldn't have been properly challenged. Now the jury would have been warned about that but that may or may not be a point they are trying to raise.

For a conviction following a jury trial, the question is not whether the Court of Appeal would itself have convicted or acquitted. Rather, the Court asks whether, in light of the alleged error and all the circumstances of the case, the conviction can safely stand.

Typical grounds which may render a conviction unsafe include:

Misdirections or non-directions by the trial judge.
Wrong legal rulings.
Material irregularities in the conduct of the trial.
Failures of disclosure.
Improper admission or exclusion of evidence.
Jury irregularities.
Fresh evidence which undermines the verdict.
Abuse of process or serious misconduct by investigators or prosecutors.

It's impossible to know whether there's any grounds for an appeal.

[JoG2]

Jim Wells interviewed in this podcast says that the DUP needs a full investigation and that if it does it will find out something worse. He says it looks bleak for the party.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/podcasts/affairs-gay-saunas-and-drinking-excessively-former-mla-on-the-jeffrey-donaldson-he-knew/a/158003982.html

Is Wells now in with the TUV?

He is. He has a vested interest in the DUP getting roasted.

Listened to 5 mins of that interview...Wells, 'we travelled the world together', 'I knew him well', 'I wouldn't call him a friend '...any fear I had , that loyalists / unionists would circle the wagons and produce an all encompassing loyalist powerhouse to fight the green and kick the statement can down the road for another while went up in smoke...they really are a gather up of absolute idiots

[imtommygunn]

Wells came across as someone without much between the ears in that spotlight show. I didn't realise he had went to the TUV.

[LC]

Wells came across as someone without much between the ears in that spotlight show. I didn't realise he had went to the TUV.

Well matched.

[seafoid]

Wells came across as someone without much between the ears in that spotlight show. I didn't realise he had went to the TUV.

Well matched.

I thought he spoke very well in the BelTel interview. He understands the DUP machine. He said that there is something else to come out and that the future for the DUP is bleak.

[gallsman]

Wells  was forced to quit as health minister after he, amongst many other things, (in)famously turned up at a lesbian couple's house while out canvassing and started on them for their sinful and wicked ways. He was never the sharpest of politicians and was liable to commit a calamitous gaffe every time he was put in front of a microphone.

[marty34]

Wells came across as someone without much between the ears in that spotlight show. I didn't realise he had went to the TUV.

Well matched.

I thought he spoke very well in the BelTel interview. He understands the DUP machine. He said that there is something else to come out and that the future for the DUP is bleak.

Maybe something in Sunday papers tomorrow?

[DaleCooper]

"A young woman described by Ian Paisley as a "victim" of Jeffrey Donaldson said that Emma Little-Pengelly had told her that the disgraced former DUP leader was "a danger" to her, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal" [Suzanne Breen]

[p3427977]

That should be the end of Pengelly

[Orior]

"A young woman described by Ian Paisley as a "victim" of Jeffrey Donaldson said that Emma Little-Pengelly had told her that the disgraced former DUP leader was "a danger" to her, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal" [Suzanne Breen]

Yet Foster and Loveheart were safe in wee Jeff's company. I wonder why?

[playwiththewind1st]

That should be the end of Pengelly

She has already been thrown out on her ear, as both an MLA & as an MP, by the South Belfast electorate.

That's the beauty of the electoral system in the North of Ireland - the DUP merely switched her to Lagan Valley & made her Deputy First Minister, whilst parachuting Poots into South Belfast.

It's nearly impossible to reject a candidate at the polls, if the party decides that they're still of use.

[Mourne Red]

https://x.com/sjamcbride/status/2074403990280781994?s=46&t=zMI0pHqP8aYtYYerofczvg

Jeff in the news again. Wonder how many more stories will come out.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

That should be the end of Pengelly

She has already been thrown out on her ear, as both an MLA & as an MP, by the South Belfast electorate.

That's the beauty of the electoral system in the North of Ireland - the DUP merely switched her to Lagan Valley & made her Deputy First Minister, whilst parachuting Poots into South Belfast.

It's nearly impossible to reject a candidate at the polls, if the party decides that they're still of use.

Or, indeed, if the party recognises that the candidate has incriminating information about other high ranking members that they would never want to come to light.

[DaleCooper]

https://x.com/sjamcbride/status/2074403990280781994?s=46&t=zMI0pHqP8aYtYYerofczvg

Jeff in the news again. Wonder how many more stories will come out.

Jaysus that snapchat pic has serial killer vibes.

Jeffrey on snapchat like

[p3427977]

https://x.com/sjamcbride/status/2074403990280781994?s=46&t=zMI0pHqP8aYtYYerofczvg

Jeff in the news again. Wonder how many more stories will come out.

f**k