Courts / Armagh / Report
Jeffrey Donaldson and wife arrive for preliminary hearing
Summary
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, appeared at Newry Magistrate's Court for a preliminary enquiry to determine whether they should be sent forward for trial on sexual offence charges. The former Lagan Valley MP, aged 61, and his wife, aged 58, both of Dromore, Co Down, face a total of 23 alleged charges. Mr Donaldson is accused of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 counts of indecent assault, with alleged incidents occurring between 1985 and 2006. Mrs Donaldson faces five charges of aiding and abetting rape and aiding and abetting indecent assault, along with two counts of cruelty to a person under 16, alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2004. Judge Eamonn King was scheduled to consider prosecution statements and depositions to decide if a prima facie case exists. If sufficient evidence is found, the accused would be asked to enter pleas. The matter is currently at the charge or pretrial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded in this report.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jeffrey Donaldson and wife arrive for preliminary hearing. Charges or matters: one count of rape, four of gross indecency with or towards a child and 13 of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- 1985 and 2006 Incident
- 1985 and 2004 Incident
- 2024-07-03 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: one count of rape, four of gross indecency with or towards a child and 13 of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006 (Alleged Or Contested)
Defendant
Charges: one count of rape, four of gross indecency with or towards a child and 13 of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
Topics
Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
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