Prosecution opens case against ex-DUP leader in sex abuse trial

The prosecution has begun opening its case against former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on 18 sex abuse charges. Crown barrister Rosemary Walsh KC told the jury there are two alleged victims who stepped forward two-and-a-half years ago and told police "about difficult and traumatic incidents they say happened when they were children". Sir Jeffrey, 63, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on five related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied. The Donaldsons were arrested in their County Down home and charged on 28 March 2024. He resigned as DUP leader the next day and did not contest his Lagan Valley seat in the general election four months later. He is accused of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault. The offences allegedly occurred between 1985 and 2008. At Newry Crown Court on Wednesday, the Crown barrister outlined a summary of the case she said the court could expect to hear from Complainant B – the elder of the two women. She described an incident in which the complainant alleged Sir Jeffrey "put his hands do