The trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has heard that he sexually assaulted a child, leaving her 'feeling sick', and later apologised at a church-brokered meeting. The 63-year-old former MP faces 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape, spanning 1985 to 2008 and involving two alleged victims. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, is charged with aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault but has been judged unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.
Prosecutor Rosemary Walsh outlined the case to a jury of five women and seven men at Newry Crown Court on Wednesday. The court heard that pre-recorded interviews with the two complainants, known as Witness A and Witness B, will be presented, along with police interviews with the Donaldsons. The complainants will be cross-examined remotely.
Witness B alleged that before she was 11, Donaldson put his hand in her pants 'a lot', and on one occasion touched her chest, put his fingers inside her genitals, and pushed her feet apart, leaving her 'feeling sick'. She also claimed that as a teenager, a church-brokered meeting was arranged where Donaldson apologised for past behaviour, which she described as 'a bit weird and surreal'. Donaldson told police no specific allegations were made at that meeting and called the rape accusation 'unbelievable'.
Witness A alleged Donaldson touched her chest and kissed her inappropriately, inserting his tongue in her mouth. When challenged, he allegedly laughed it off as a joke and made comments about her appearance, including the size of her breasts. Both Donaldson and his wife deny all charges. The trial is expected to last about four weeks.
