Jury in Donaldson trial hears closing arguments on accusers' accounts
Prosecutors asked jurors to consider the visible distress of two women who accused Sir Jeffrey Donaldson of sexual abuse between 1985 and 2008. The former Democratic Unionist Party leader denies all 18 charges, including one count of rape. His wife faces a separate trial of the facts on related aiding-and-abetting counts.
BBC NewsProsecutors in the Newry Crown Court trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson asked the jury to recall the "pain and hurt still so visible" on two women who say he sexually abused them when they were children. Prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC said the women, identified only as Complainant A and Complainant B, had gone through a "long and arduous process" after reporting the allegations to police in March 2024.
She told jurors the decision to come forward was not made lightly and that both women had previously kept their accounts private. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including one count of rape, covering alleged incidents from 1985 to 2008.
The jury is also considering findings against his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, who denies five related charges of aiding and abetting.
Alleged 1990s meeting Walsh described a meeting at a Christian centre in Armoy, County Antrim, attended by Complainant B, Sir Jeffrey, and centre staff. " The trial previously heard that Sir Jeffrey apologised during the meeting. He has said the apology was not for any alleged offences and that no specific allegations were raised at the time.
Letter referenced in court Walsh also referred to a letter Sir Jeffrey wrote to Complainant A in which he mentioned being in "a deep pit of sin" and causing "deep wounds." She described the reference to wounds as "highly significant." Sir Jeffrey has said the letter had nothing to do with Complainant A's allegations. The trial continues.
