Prosecution Opens Case in Northern Ireland Sex Abuse Trial

The prosecution opened its case Wednesday at Newry Crown Court against a former Democratic Unionist Party leader facing 18 sex abuse charges. Crown barrister Rosemary Walsh KC told the jury the two alleged victims came forward two-and-a-half years ago and described incidents they said occurred when they were children.

The defendant, 63, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault. The alleged offences span 1985 to 2008.

Walsh outlined accounts from the two complainants.

One alleged the defendant put his hands down her underwear, pulled her legs apart and touched her exposed breasts after lifting her top and bra. The second complainant alleged the defendant put his hands up her top, touched her chest area, commented on the size of her breasts and kissed her inappropriately.

The defendant's wife faces a trial of the facts on five charges of aiding and abetting after being found unfit for a conventional trial. She has denied the charges. The pair were arrested at their County Down home on 28 March 2024. The defendant resigned his party leadership the following day and did not stand in the subsequent general election.