A jury at Newry Crown Court has heard the details of an alleged rape of a child by former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson. The complainant, referred to as Witness B, gave a police interview in March 2024 that was played in court on Tuesday, the sixth day of the trial.
Witness B, now an adult, described the alleged assault, stating: 'The actions that night I will never forget, what happened that night will live with me for ever.' She said she pretended to be asleep during the alleged abuse, hoping the perpetrator would lose interest. 'I hated it yet I thought if I pretend to be asleep he’ll just stop and lose interest. I thought: what’s the point in shouting?'
Donaldson, 63, faces 18 charges including one count of rape, alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2008 involving two victims. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, is charged with aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault. Both deny all charges. Eleanor Donaldson was not present in court, having been judged unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.
The complainant detailed two alleged incidents, the first when she was of primary school age. She recalled being 'really still' and hearing the defendant's breath. The second alleged incident occurred when she was of secondary school age, during which she said Donaldson lifted her top and touched her breasts. She alleged his wife witnessed part of the incident and walked away.
During cross-examination, defence barrister Kieran Vaughan challenged the complainant's memory, suggesting the alleged rape did not happen and asking why she had not reported it at the time. Witness B responded: 'It was my biggest mistake, not telling anybody back then. I regret that every day. I didn’t know the words, I knew it was wrong.'
