Emotional Testimony from Husband of Alleged Victim
The husband of one of the two alleged victims in the sex abuse trial involving Sir Jeffrey Donaldson became emotional and broke down in tears while recounting the moment his wife disclosed to him that she had been abused.
This witness is married to Complainant A and remains unnamed in court to protect her anonymity.
Charges Against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Lady Eleanor Donaldson
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson denies 18 charges related to sexual abuse. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, is facing a trial of the facts on mental health grounds concerning five charges of aiding and abetting.
Details of the Alleged Abuse Revealed in Court
During proceedings at Newry Crown Court, the witness described how his wife disclosed that Sir Jeffrey had abused her "on a number of occasions" during her youth.
"She did go into detail that he inappropriately touched her and that on a number of occasions that he kissed her with his tongue,"
he stated.
He further recounted how Complainant A told him about an incident where she alleged Sir Jeffrey had looked at her private parts.
The witness emphasized the fear his wife experienced when revealing the alleged abuse.
"She told me that she never told anyone this, so I recognised this was massive for her,"
he said.
Cross-Examination by Defence Counsel
During cross-examination by Sir Jeffrey's barrister, Kieran Vaughan KC, the witness was questioned about why his wife had not reported the allegations earlier.
"She was still working through and coming to a realisation of what had happened.
This was trauma she had for so many years, had boxed off, had tried to put on a smile and pretend that everything was OK and that was a difficult process.
She was genuinely terrified. We were both terrified."
Charges and Allegations Against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson denies acts of gross indecency and indecent assault against Complainant A when she was a child, occurring between 1999 and 2008.
Additional alleged offences, dating back to 1985 and including a charge of rape, involve a second woman, Complainant B, who was also a child at the time.
