Jeffrey Donaldson Takes Stand to Deny 18 Sex Abuse Charges at Week 3 Trial
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 11
Jeffrey Donaldson Takes Stand to Deny 18 Sex Abuse Charges at Week 3 Trial
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 11
Summary
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, took the witness stand at Newry Crown Court after being called by his defence barrister, giving evidence in the third week of his sex abuse trial.
The former DUP leader denies 18 charges allegedly committed between 1985 and 2008, including gross indecency and indecent assault involving Complainant A and a rape charge involving Complainant B.
The two alleged victims both reported their allegations to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in March 2024, leading to the case now before the court.
Lady Eleanor Donaldson separately denies five counts of aiding and abetting his alleged offending, but is not participating because she was deemed unfit for a conventional trial and instead faces a trial of the facts.