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A judge has decided that Lady Eleanor Donaldson will undergo a trial of facts as part of the legal proceedings against her husband, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the DUP. The trial is scheduled to commence next Tuesday with jury selection at Newry Crown Court.
Both Lady Donaldson and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson deny a total of 23 sexual abuse charges, which involve two alleged victims. The legal teams had debated whether the cases should be handled separately, but Judge Paul Ramsey ruled that the trials would proceed simultaneously.
Because of serious health concerns, Lady Donaldson will face a trial of facts, a legal process used when a defendant is unfit to stand trial. In this type of trial, the jury’s role is not to determine guilt but to establish whether the alleged acts took place. While a verdict of guilty is not possible, the jury can acquit the defendant. This procedure is governed by Article 49A of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and although Lady Donaldson will have legal representation, she will not actively participate in the court proceedings.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson faces 18 charges, including one count of rape, as well as accusations of indecent assault and gross indecency occurring between 1985 and 2008, involving two alleged victims. Lady Donaldson stands accused of five counts associated with aiding and abetting these offenses. Both maintain their pleas of not guilty
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