Main content

The State of UsThe Donaldson Sex Abuse TrialEpisodes

Back up to: The State of Us

  1. The Donaldson trial

    Solicitor Sarah McKeown discusses some big pre-trial decisions the judge has made.

  2. 9. Court told Eleanor ‘still loved’ Jeffrey

    Five witnesses gave evidence in court today.

  3. 8. Jeffrey's WhatsApp message

    The court hears Jeffrey Donaldson sent a message saying he wanted to repent.

  4. 7. Tearful witness blames herself.

    A witness tells the court she should have gone to police sooner.

  5. 6. Rape allegations

    Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is accused of raping a child.

  6. 5. Woman told she’s ‘making up’ abuse

    One of the two women accusing Sir Jeffrey Donaldson finished her evidence today.

  7. 4. Eleanor accused of seeing abuse

    Lady Donaldson is accused of witnessing her husband’s alleged abuse but not intervening.

  8. 3. Letter of 'regret'

    The trial is told Sir Jeffrey Donaldson wrote a letter to one of the two alleged victims

  9. 2. The Prosecution’s case

    Prosecutors have begun setting out the case against the Donaldsons.

  10. 19. The verdict

    Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is a convicted paedophile and child rapist.

  11. 18. Jury still deciding

    The jury considers the combined 23 charges for a second day.

  12. 17. Jury considers verdict

    The jury retires to consider the combined 23 charges.

  13. 16. Final arguments Part 2

    Eleanor Donaldson’s barrister has asked the jury to find her not guilty of all charges

  14. 15. Final arguments

    Barristers began closing statements today in court.

  15. 14. The defence closes its case

    Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s defence team closed its case today.

  16. 13. 'Sinful and deceitful'

    Jeffrey Donaldson completes his evidence to the trial.

  17. 12. Jeffrey in the witness box.

    The jury hears from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in person as he takes to the witness stand.

  18. 11.Eleanor's police interview

    The court heard Eleanor Donaldson was on ‘red alert’ for years regarding her husband.

  19. 10.Jeffrey's police interview

    The trial hears the moment police put the rape allegation to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

  20. 1. Jury sworn in

    A jury is sworn in for the trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Lady Eleanor Donaldson.