Defence closes case in Jeffrey Donaldson sex offences trial

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

The defence in Jeffrey Donaldson’s trial over historical sex offences has closed its case.

The former DUP leader’s barrister told Newry Crown Court on Monday afternoon that no further evidence would be called.

The 63-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, and span a period between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims.

Complainant A and B have both given evidence at the trial.

Both women allege they were abused as children.

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband’s alleged offending.

She is facing a trial of the facts on mental health grounds.

The trial of the facts will test the evidence in the case, but cannot result in a criminal conviction.

Jeffrey Donaldson spent two days in the witness box giving evidence in the trial last week.

His barrister Kieran Vaughan told the jury of seven men and five women on Monday that he was “now in a position to close my case”.

Barrister for Eleanor Donaldson, Ian Turkington, said: “She is incapable of giving evidence so we don’t intend to call any further evidence.”

Closing submissions are expected to begin on Tuesday morning.