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

The proceedings of erstwhile Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) person Sir Jeffrey Donaldson for alleged enactment maltreatment is owed to perceive the commencement of the prosecution's lawsuit aboriginal connected Wednesday.

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

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

The proceedings astatine Newry Crown Court began connected Tuesday, with a assemblage sworn in. The justice told them helium expected the proceedings to past 3 to 4 weeks.

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

He resigned arsenic DUP person the adjacent time and did not contention his Lagan Valley spot successful 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.

Lady Donaldson volition look a proceedings of the facts aft being recovered unfit for a accepted proceedings nether the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order.

Under a proceedings of the facts, she volition not enactment successful proceedings. She was not successful tribunal for the trial's opening time connected Tuesday.