Prosecution opens case against ex-DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in sex abuse trial

The prosecution has begun opening its case against former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on 18 sex abuse charges.

Crown barrister Rosemary Walsh KC told the jury there are two alleged victims who stepped forward two-and-a-half years ago and told police "about difficult and traumatic incidents they say happened when they were children".

Sir Jeffrey, 63, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including one count of rape.

His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on five related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied.

The Donaldsons were arrested in their County Down home and charged on 28 March 2024.

He resigned as DUP leader the next day and did not contest his Lagan Valley seat in the general election four months later.

He is accused of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault.

The offences allegedly occurred between 1985 and 2008.

At Newry Crown Court on Wednesday, the Crown barrister outlined a summary of the case she said the court could expect to hear from Complainant B – the eldest of the two women.

She described an incident in which the complainant alleged Sir Jeffrey "put his hands down her underwear".

Rosemary Walsh KC said the complainant recalled that Sir Jeffrey had put his feet between her feet, pulled her legs apart and sexually assaulted her.

The barrister then outlined a second alleged incident in which Sir Jeffrey followed Complainant B into a room, approached her and "lifted her top up and her bra and started to touch her exposed breasts".

The complainant was said to have remembered Sir Jeffrey "putting his hands down her pants a lot".

The court also heard he would touch her breasts under her top.

The barrister also gave a summary of the account of Complainant A - the younger of the two women.

Walsh said this complainant had alleged Sir Jeffrey would have been physical with her, putting his hands up her top and touching her chest area.

The court heard that the complainant recalled the accused commenting on the size of her breasts.

This complainant was also said to have reported being kissed inappropriately by Sir Jeffrey - by putting his tongue into her mouth.

When she pushed away, the accused was said to have laughed and said it was a joke.

It wasn't until she was older, the court heard, when she realised it was not normal.

Lady Donaldson will face a trial of the facts after being found unfit for a conventional trial under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order.

Under a trial of the facts, she will not participate in proceedings.