Sir Jeffrey Donaldson denies sex abuse charges in court

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has taken the witness stand at his trial on sex abuse charges.

He was called to give evidence by his defence barrister Kieran Vaughan KC.

Vaughan asked him if he accepted any of the abuse claims made by two women and Sir Jeffrey replied: "No".

The trial is in its third week.

There are two alleged victims in the trial, both of whom reported their allegations to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in March 2024.

The trial previously heard that in 2020, Sir Jeffrey wrote to one of the victims, Complainant A, expressing "regret" for the "hurt, pain and distress" he had caused her.

In her evidence, the woman said she thought the letter was an attempt to "apologise" for the alleged abuse.

The lawyer then asked him if it was a reference to the alleged abuse.

"I would never have done anything of that nature. This was not the reason why this letter was written."

Later, Vaughan asked about the rape allegation made by Complainant B.

Sir Jeffrey replied: "It just didn't happen. I am absolutely crystal clear about that.

Sir Jeffrey denies acts of gross indecency and indecent assault against Complainant A when she was a child, between 1999 and 2008.

Other alleged offences, dating back to 1985, including a charge of rape, relate to a second woman, Complainant B, when she was also a child, which he also denies.