Overview
- The trial at Newry Crown Court is prosecuting Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on 18 historical sexual-offence charges, including one count of rape, with Mr Donaldson pleading not guilty.
- Prosecutors played Complainant B’s recorded ABE interview to the jury on Tuesday, June 2, in which she described a vivid childhood attack she said involved Mr Donaldson pulling her legs apart and using his penis.
- Complainant A has completed live evidence including an allegation that Mr Donaldson used a bright light to examine her and that she told Lady Eleanor Donaldson about the incident at the time.
- Lady Eleanor Donaldson has been ruled medically unfit for a standard criminal trial and faces a separate 'trial of the facts' in her absence, a procedure that can find whether acts occurred but cannot result in conviction or imprisonment.
- Defence counsel have focused on memory lapses, inconsistencies and motives during cross-examination while the case continues to draw political attention because of Mr Donaldson’s former role in the DUP and recent return to Stormont.