The jury in the sex offences trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resumed deliberations at Newry Crown Court. The jury is considering its verdict for a second day after deliberating for three hours and 10 minutes on Thursday.
The 63-year-old former MP has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences, including one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. The charges span a period between 1985 and 2008 and involve two alleged victims, referred to as Complainants A and B. Both women allege they were abused as children.
Donaldson spent two days giving evidence during the trial. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband’s alleged offending. She is facing a trial of the facts on mental health grounds, which will test the evidence but cannot result in a criminal conviction.
