Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 historical sex offences against two women who were children at the time of the abuse.
A jury at Newry Crown Court convicted the 63-year-old of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency following a trial lasting several weeks.
Details of the Offences
Donaldson, who denied all charges, was accused of offences committed between 1985 and 2008. During the trial, two women, referred to as Complainant A and Complainant B, gave evidence alleging they were abused by him as children.
The former MP spent two days in the witness box, repeatedly rejecting the allegations made against him, according to Belfast Live.
Wife's Involvement
His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, faced allegations of aiding and abetting her husband. She was subject to a trial of the facts on mental health grounds, a legal process that examines the evidence but cannot result in a criminal conviction.
The court found that she had committed the acts relating to the offences of aiding and abetting.
Next Steps
Sentencing is expected to take place at a later date.
