Jeffrey Donaldson described himself as a ‘sinner’ yesterday in court, as he testified in his trial for historic sexual offences. 

The former DUP leader and Lagan Valley MP is accused of 18 offences - including one count of rape - all of which were allegedly committed between 1985 and 2008. He denies them all. 

Yesterday, Mr Donaldson’s evidence began at 10.30 and it took up all of the day in court. 

In response to questioning by his defence barrister, Kieran Vaughan KC, Mr Donaldson said that his arrest had been a surprise and that he had no idea it was coming. 

It took place at 6am when he and his wife had been asleep. 

“He described it as a complete shock and said he had no idea whatsoever that the arrest was coming,” reporter Jamie O’Hara recounted on Newstalk Breakfast. 

“Then, when asked how he felt about when the allegations were put to him, he said he couldn't even remember, essentially due to shock. 

“He said, ‘All I could hear were legal words being read to me’, that he thought about the matter every waking moment after the police interview.

“He said his head was in a spin and that he had been hit by allegations he had never heard before.” 

Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at Newry Magistrates' Court in 2024. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy.

During her evidence, Complainant B alleged that as a child, Mr Donaldson touched her breasts and that his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, had seen this and then stepped out of the room. 

“Jeffrey Donaldson said he was just talking to the Complainant and there was absolutely nothing that could have been misconstrued about that,” Mr O’Hara said. 

“He said the idea that he was touching a child and that his wife had walked in, had seen this and then walked out again is just unbelievable.

“Regarding a meeting with Complainant B, the trial was told it previously heard about that he was asked if at any time allegations of sexual abuse or anything like that was put to him or mentioned. He said, ‘No, not ever, those allegations have never been put to me.’

“Then, he was asked if he had heard or was previously told about anything about allegations of rape and he replied, ‘Absolutely not.’” 

In a police interview, Ms Donaldson denied all knowledge of any crimes.

Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Eleanor Donaldson in 2023. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Mr Donaldson was also questioned about allegations made against him by Complainant A. 

“Complainant A [claimed that she] had confronted Jeffrey Donaldson in front of another person and had asked him if he had sexually abused her,” Mr O’Hara described.

“The court previously heard the allegation by the Complainant that Jeffrey Donaldson had then accepted that allegation by a nod of his head 

“Then, when asked yesterday by Kieran Vaughan, if that happened, Mr Donaldson said no and said Complainant A had put no allegations to him at any time.” 

At this point, Mr Donaldson was then read portions of a letter he sent to Complainant A. 

"His barrister asks him about mentions of regret and distress and the pain he has caused,” Mr O’Hara said. 

“The trial did also previously hear that he told police this was about other things. 

“Yesterday, Mr Donaldson repeated that; he said that the letter had nothing to do with any of the allegations of abuse.”

The letter also said that Mr Donaldson had sought God’s help and he was questioned about why he felt the need to seek such a thing. 

“He replied, ‘We are all sinners, Mr Vaughan’ and then he says, ‘I am a sinner’, then he said how, ‘Every day we seek God's forgiveness,’” Mr O’Hara recounted. 

“He also clarifies that what he said in the letter was in no way any reference to any form of abuse and he said, ‘I would never have done anything of that nature.’ 

“Then he follows it up immediately with, ‘I never did anything of that nature.’”

Main image: Jeffrey Donaldson. Picture by: Alamy.com.