Northern Ireland's Former Unionist Leader Tells Jury He Did Not Sexually Abuse Two Children
Donaldson told the jury he did not abuse two women who say they were children when the alleged offences occurred.
- Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson began giving evidence on Thursday at Newry Crown Court, telling the jury he did not abuse the two women accusing him of historical sexual offenses.
- Donaldson faces 18 charges spanning 1985 to 2008, including one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency involving two alleged victims. He previously served in Parliament and negotiated the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
- Addressing a 2020 letter to Complainant A, Donaldson insisted his reference to "regret" and "hurt, pain and distress I have caused" was "absolutely not" about abuse. The defence claims the letter concerns another matter entirely.
- Defence barrister Kieran Vaughan KC questioned Donaldson on both sets of allegations, with the accused denying each charge. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, separately faces a trial of the facts on mental health grounds for aiding and abetting.
- Both complainants have provided evidence at trial, alleging they were abused as children during the period covered by the charges. The defence continues to contest the allegations as Donaldson's testimony proceeds.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Northern Ireland's Donaldson takes stand to deny sex offences against two girls
BELFAST, June 11 - Northern Ireland politician Jeffrey Donaldson denied all charges of historical sex offences against two girls when he took the stand in his trial on Thursday, telling the court there had been no abuse. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Northern Ireland’s former unionist leader tells jury he did not sexually abuse two children
LONDON (AP) — The former leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party told a jury Thursday that he was “crystal clear” that he did not rape an alleged victim when she was a child decades ago, as he gave evidence…
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