Sir Jeffrey Donaldson Sex Abuse Jury Continues Deliberations in Newry Crown Court
The jury considering the sex abuse allegations against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been sent home for the weekend and will resume deliberations on Monday morning. Judge Paul Ramsey concluded his summary of the case on Thursday, after which the jurors began their consideration of verdicts, accumulating approximately seven hours of deliberation thus far.
Sir Jeffrey, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has entered a plea of not guilty to 18 charges. These include one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency, and 13 counts of indecent assault. The allegations concern the sexual abuse of two women, identified as Complainants A and B, during their childhoods. The alleged offences reportedly took place between 1985 and 2008. Both complainants provided evidence during the trial, which is now in its fourth week at Newry Crown Court. Sir Jeffrey also testified over two days.
Lady Eleanor Donaldson, Sir Jeffrey's wife, faces five charges of aiding and abetting his alleged offending. At a pre-trial hearing last month, Lady Donaldson, 60, was deemed unfit for a conventional trial due to mental health considerations. She has not participated in the proceedings, instead undergoing a trial of the facts in her absence. This process allows the jury to determine if she committed the alleged acts, though it cannot result in a criminal conviction. Both Donaldsons were arrested and charged at their County Down residence on 28 March 2024.