Jeffrey Donaldson: Husband of alleged victim in sex abuse trial breaks down as he gives evidence

During the ongoing sex abuse trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson at Newry Crown Court, a deeply emotional moment occurred when the husband of one of the alleged victims, referred to as Complainant A, recounted the moment his wife disclosed the abuse she had suffered. The husband, who remains unnamed to protect his wife’s identity, described his wife’s revelation about being abused by Sir Jeffrey on multiple occasions during her youth.

The witness testified that his wife detailed instances where Sir Jeffrey inappropriately touched her and kissed her “with his tongue” on several occasions. Additionally, Complainant A shared an encounter in which Sir Jeffrey allegedly looked at her private parts. The witness conveyed the fear his wife felt in coming forward, emphasizing that she had never told anyone about the abuse before. He recognized the enormity of what she was sharing and the trauma it represented.

During cross-examination, Sir Jeffrey’s barrister, Kieran Vaughan KC, questioned why Complainant A had not reported the abuse sooner. The husband explained that she was in the process of coming to terms with the trauma after many years of suppressing it, trying to maintain a façade of normalcy. He described the experience as “a difficult process” during which both he and his wife felt genuine fear.

Additional testimony came from a Presbyterian minister and his wife, who offered support to Complainant A and her husband. The minister said their first meeting was in December 2022, following information that an issue involving the couple was causing them distress. The minister explained that the couple spoke about an unnamed “perpetrator” and that several meetings took place over time. In July 2023, while on holiday, the minister received a WhatsApp message from Sir Jeffrey seeking a private conversation out of uncertainty about where else to turn. The minister maintained confidentiality and declined to engage due to the nature of the allegations. A subsequent message from Sir Jeffrey expressed his wish to apologize and repent before those involved and “before the Lord.” Sir Jeffrey denies the charges, which include acts of gross indecency and indecent assault against Complainant A during her childhood from 1999 to 2008. In addition, there is a second set of alleged offenses involving Complainant B, dating back to 1985, which includes a charge of rape

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