Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has been found guilty of 18 counts of sex abuse against two women when they were children, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was also found to have committed acts aiding and abetting his offenses. Donaldson was remanded in custody pending sentencing.
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was found to have done the acts in five charges, including aiding and abetting. Donaldson, a 29-year Westminster veteran, was alone in court as the verdicts were delivered.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, former DUP leader, was convicted of sex abuse charges against two women when they were children. His trial lasted four weeks, during which he presented a defiant defense, often referencing his Christian faith. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was found unfit to stand trial.
In the trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the jury was urged to consider the "pain and hurt" of the two women accusing him of child sexual abuse. Prosecution highlighted the "long and arduous process" for the complainants, who made allegations in March 2024 after years of suppressing their experiences. Sir Jeffrey denies multiple charges.
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson denied all sex abuse charges against him during his trial. He stated "No" when asked if he accepted the claims made by two women, and explicitly denied a rape allegation, stating "It just didn't happen."
Pastor Stephen Matthews testifies in Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's sex abuse trial, recounting a 1990s conversation with Complainant B, who alleged sexual abuse by someone rising through the Official Unionist Party, implying it was 'obvious' the abuser was Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
The husband of an alleged victim in the sex abuse trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson testified at Newry Crown Court, describing the moment his wife revealed she had been abused by Donaldson on multiple occasions. He became emotional as he recounted her fear and the long-term trauma she experienced.
An alleged victim in the Sir Jeffrey Donaldson trial claims he apologised for rape at a Christian centre years after the alleged abuse. Complainant B stated Donaldson apologised during a meeting arranged at the Christian Family Centre in Armoy when she was a teenager. The trial continues at Newry Crown Court.
A video of a police interview with Complainant B, one of two alleged victims, was played at Newry Crown Court in the trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. The woman, who accuses Donaldson of rape and indecent assault between 1985 and 1991, described alleged incidents of sexual abuse.
A woman, Complainant A, testified in court that Lady Eleanor Donaldson was aware of alleged sexual abuse by her husband, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, but "did nothing about it." Sir Jeffrey denies 18 sex abuse charges, while Lady Donaldson denies aiding and abetting.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, and his wife Eleanor, 60, face trial in Newry crown court for alleged sex offences spanning 21 years, including rape and gross indecency, with the trial expected to last at least four weeks.
The trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson on sex abuse charges is scheduled to begin next week. A pre-trial hearing was held Tuesday, with jury selection planned for May 26. Both deny all charges.
