Donaldson sex abuse trial reaching 'closing stages', judge tells jury

The jury in the Sir Jeffrey Donaldson trial are listening to the judge sum up the evidence.

Judge Paul Ramsey began addressing them at 10:20 BST and once he finishes, the jury of seven men and five women will retire to consider their verdict.

The former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including one count of rape, arising from allegations he sexually abused two women when they were children.

The trial at Newry Crown Court is in its fourth week.

"We are now reaching the closing stages of the trial," Ramsey told the jury.

He said jurors must be satisfied that the prosecution had proven the case against Sir Jeffrey beyond reasonable doubt before they could convict.

He added: "Only where you are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt can you convict … that is the law."

Sir Jeffrey, wearing a dark suit and a pink tie, sat in the dock with his arms folded while the judge delivered his remarks.

His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, denies aiding and abetting his alleged offending.

The alleged victims, Complainants A and B, have both given evidence at the trial.

Sir Jeffrey also testified over two days.

The Donaldsons were arrested at their County Down home and charged on 28 March 2024.

Sir Jeffrey, 63, is accused of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault.

The offences allegedly occurred between 1985 and 2008.

At a pre-trial hearing last month, Lady Donaldson, 60, was declared unfit for a conventional trial on mental health grounds.

She has not participated in proceedings and instead is undergoing a trial of the facts in her absence.

The jury will decide if she committed the acts alleged, but it cannot result in a criminal conviction.