Jeffrey Donaldson sexual offences trial starts at Newry Crown Court

A jury was sworn in at Newry Crown Court in County Down as the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson began. Donaldson, 63, faces 18 historic sexual offence charges—including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency—spanning 1985 to 2008 and involving two alleged victims. He has pleaded not guilty. The proceedings, overseen by Judge Paul Ramsey, are expected to last three to four weeks.

Evidence presented on the first day included a police interview video with one alleged victim, who described abuse that began when she was in primary school and continued into her teenage years. The video was shown to the twelve‑person jury. Donaldson’s wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, is also part of the trial of the facts after being deemed unfit to stand trial on mental‑health grounds; she denies charges of aiding and abetting.