Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 historical sex offences against two women when they were children, including one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault and four of gross indecency. A jury at Newry Crown Court delivered the verdict on Monday.
Verdict Details
The court convicted Donaldson, 63, of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. The offences spanned a period between 1985 and 2008. Donaldson had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, was found to have committed acts relating to offences of aiding and abetting following a trial of the facts. She had denied several charges of aiding and abetting her husband and faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds, which tested the evidence but could not result in a criminal conviction.
Evidence and Testimony
Complainants A and B both gave evidence at the trial, alleging they were abused as children. Jeffrey Donaldson spent two days giving evidence during the trial, where he repeatedly denied the allegations.
The conviction means Donaldson could face being stripped of his knighthood. Under UK law, individuals convicted of serious offences may have honours revoked.
Impact and Next Steps
Sentencing is expected to take place at a later date. The case has drawn significant attention due to Donaldson's former role as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.
