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Prosecution Begins Outline of Case Against Donaldson
The former DUP leader denies 18 charges as prosecutors prepare to outline allegations spanning more than two decades, with two alleged victims expected to give evidence.
- On Tuesday, former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's trial began at Newry Crown Court after delays exceeding two years, with a 12-person jury selected in three hours to decide guilt on 18 charges including one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency, and 13 counts of indecent assault.
- Donaldson was arrested at his County Down home on 28 March 2024 and resigned as DUP leader the following day; weeks prior, he had restored the party's participation in Stormont after a two-year boycott of devolved government.
- Prosecution barrister Rosie Walsh KC told the jury that two women alleged abuse began during childhood, with one claiming it started in primary school; Ms Walsh said one complainant "remembered clearly" some incidents while others were "fragments," describing a pattern of "silence" occurring frequently.
- Lady Eleanor Donaldson faces a parallel trial of the facts on five charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies; Judge Ramsey ruled her unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds and she will not appear in court, though she cannot be convicted or imprisoned if found to have committed offences.
- The prosecution's opening continues Wednesday as Judge Ramsey told jurors to expect the trial to last three to four weeks; jurors were cautioned against social media commentary that could prejudice the case as evidence testing commences.
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Prosecution sets out case against former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
Two women claim the former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson sexually abused them and subjected them to "difficult and traumatic incidents" when they were children, a jury in Newry has been told.
·London, United Kingdom
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Associated Press News+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Northern Ireland's former unionist leader faces trial in sexual abuse case involving 2 girls
The former leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party is on trial for allegedly sexually abusing two girls.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources31
Leaning Left16Leaning Right3Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 32%
11%
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