FORMER DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 historical sex offences against two women when they were children, including one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault and four of gross indecency.
A jury at Newry Crown Court convicted him of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency.
His wife Eleanor Donaldson has been found to have committed the acts relating to offences of aiding and abetting following a trial of the facts.
Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, had pleaded not guilty to the alleged offences, which spanned a period between 1985 and 2008.
Complainants A and B both gave evidence at the trial, alleging they were abused as children.
Jeffrey Donaldson spent two days giving evidence during the trial, where he repeatedly denied the allegations.
Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denied several charges of aiding and abetting her husband.
She faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds, which tested the evidence but could not result in a criminal conviction.
The jury was brought back into the courtroom after lunch on Monday after deliberating for just over 10 hours.
At 2.15pm Donaldson was asked to stand as the court clerk asked the foreman of the jury to read the verdicts.
After the verdicts were delivered, Judge Paul Ramsey expressed his “gratitude and thanks” to the jury.
Before they left the room, the jury members were extend exemption from jury service for life.
Prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC then confirmed that victim impact statements would be prepared ahead of sentencing.
The judge said there would inevitably be a “lengthy sentence of imprisonment”.
Donaldson was remanded into custody and showed no emotion as he was led from the court.
There will be a review hearing on September 11 before a sentencing hearing later in the month.
The judge also said Donaldson would be placed on the sex offenders register.
Sinn Fein MP John Finucane has said his thoughts are with the victims following the conviction of Jeffrey Donaldson.
Speaking to media at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Finucane said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the victims, I think they deserve huge credit and continued support for the bravery that they have shown in putting themselves forward and stepping forward to give evidence to enter into the criminal justice process, and I think firstly all of our thoughts are with them on a day like today.
“This can’t be easy and they deserve our continued support in the time ahead.”
More to follow ...
