Closing Speeches to Commence in Donaldson Sex Abuse Trial
Closing speeches are scheduled to begin on Tuesday morning at Newry Crown Court in the sex abuse trial involving Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
These speeches are expected to take several days before the judge instructs the jury to retire and deliberate on their verdict.
The former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of sexual abuse, including one count of rape, allegedly committed between 1985 and 2008.
The jury is also tasked with considering findings related to his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, in a trial of the facts. She denies charges of aiding and abetting.
The defence concluded its case on Monday.
The jury, composed of seven men and five women, was informed that closing speeches by the legal teams will begin on Tuesday, starting with the prosecution.
Legal representatives for Sir Jeffrey and Lady Donaldson will follow, with the speeches expected to conclude by Wednesday.
There are two alleged victims in the case, referred to as Complainant A and Complainant B.
Sir Jeffrey denies committing acts of gross indecency and indecent assault against Complainant A during her childhood, between 1999 and 2008.
He also denies other alleged offences dating back to 1985, including a rape charge, involving Complainant B.
Lady Donaldson is undergoing a trial of the facts after being previously deemed unfit to face a conventional trial due to mental health reasons and is therefore not actively participating in the proceedings.
