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The jury in the ongoing sex abuse case involving Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has yet to reach a decision and will resume their discussions on Friday morning. Twelve jurors, consisting of seven men and five women, began their deliberations at approximately 13:20 BST after being instructed by Judge Paul Ramsey.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), faces 18 charges, including one count of rape. These charges relate to allegations that he sexually abused two women during their childhood. The trial, which is taking place at Newry Crown Court, is now in its fourth week. Alongside Sir Jeffrey, his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, is also implicated; she denies five charges of aiding and abetting the alleged offences.
On Thursday morning, Judge Ramsey spent around two hours summarising the case for the jury. He emphasized the importance of the prosecution proving the allegations beyond reasonable doubt before a conviction could be made, stating clearly, “That is the law.” Throughout the judge’s remarks, Sir Jeffrey sat in the dock dressed in a dark suit with a pink tie, folding his arms. Meanwhile, the complainants, referred to as Complainants A and B, have provided evidence during the proceedings, and Sir Jeffrey himself gave testimony over two days.
The Donaldsons were arrested at their residence in County Down on 28 March 2024. Sir Jeffrey, aged 63, faces multiple serious accusations including rape, four counts of gross indecency, and 13 counts of indecent assault, with the alleged offences dating from 1985 to 2008. Lady Eleanor, 60, was found unfit for a conventional trial last month on mental health grounds. Consequently, she has not taken part in the trial proper but is undergoing a trial of the facts in her absence. The jury’s task is to determine whether she committed the alleged actions; however, this cannot lead to a criminal conviction
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