Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, former Member of Parliament and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), is on trial at Newry crown court for 18 alleged sexual offences dating from 1985 to 2008, including rape, gross indecency, and multiple counts of indecent assault [1, 2, 3].
The charges involve two complainants and encompass rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency accusations. There is variation in reported counts: one source states Donaldson faces nine charges of indecent assault and one of gross indecency, while another reports 13 counts of indecent assault and four of gross indecency [1, 2].
Donaldson's wife, Eleanor, is also charged with aiding and abetting parts of the offences but has been deemed unfit to stand trial. Instead, a trial of facts will be held concerning her involvement, running concurrently but separately with her husband's case [1, 2, 3].
Both Donaldson and his wife were arrested and questioned in March 2024, prompting Donaldson to resign from his MP seat and as DUP leader [1, 2, 3].
The trial began with the jury sworn in at Newry crown court on May 26, 2026. The prosecution started its opening address the following day, outlining the charges and evidence, including pre-recorded interviews of the two complainants and police interviews of the accused [1, 2, 3].
One complainant alleges Donaldson repeatedly sexually assaulted her before the age of 11, including genital touching, with Eleanor Donaldson present during one incident. It is also claimed Donaldson apologized to a complainant during a church-brokered meeting in the mid-1990s after abuse was reported to a Christian rehabilitation centre [3].
The trial is expected to last about four weeks. Eleanor Donaldson's legal proceedings will continue alongside but separately [1, 2, 3].
