Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sex abuse trial to begin with jury selection

The proceedings of erstwhile DUP person Sir Jeffrey Donaldson connected charges of alleged enactment maltreatment begins connected Tuesday, with the enactment of a assemblage astatine Newry Crown Court.

The 63-year-old has pleaded not blameworthy to each 18 charges helium faces, including 1 number of rape.

At the aforesaid time, his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a proceedings of the facts connected related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied.

The proceedings is expected to past 4 weeks.

The Donaldsons were arrested astatine their County Down location and charged connected 28 March 2024.

Sir Jeffrey, 63, resigned arsenic DUP person the adjacent time and did not contention his Lagan Valley spot astatine the wide predetermination 4 months later.

He is accused of rape, 4 counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault.

The offences allegedly occurred betwixt 1985 and 2008.

There are 2 alleged victims.

The proceedings was postponed connected 2 occasions past twelvemonth due to the fact that of Lady Donaldson's health.

At a proceeding past week, Judge Paul Ramsey declared the 60-year-old unfit for a accepted proceedings nether the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order.

Under a proceedings of the facts, she volition not enactment successful proceedings.

Last month, the Northern Ireland Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, issued a informing astir societal media posts.

She said radical could beryllium recovered successful contempt of court, punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment, for comments which prejudice proceedings.

"Further, it is simply a transgression offence to place the complainants, who indispensable stay anonymous," she said successful a statement.

The constabulary besides advised radical against publishing "speculation" online, oregon thing which could "directly oregon indirectly" place the complainants.