How four weeks in court unravelled 'sinful and deceitful' Jeffrey Donaldson

How four weeks in court unravelled 'sinful and deceitful' Jeffrey Donaldson 18 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Luke Sproule BBC News NI, Newry Crown Court PA Media Sir Jeffrey Donaldson almost looked like he walked into court straight from the House of Commons on the first day of his sex abuse trial at Newry Crown Court. Calm and relaxed, shorn of the short beard he'd sported at some previous court appearances and smartly dressed in a blue suit and green tie, it was like the intervening two years since his sudden and shocking arrest had never happened. When the judge asked the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader if he was ready to begin, he replied confidently: "Yes." But over the next four weeks, as the 29-year Westminster veteran heard the case against him over 18 charges, allegedly committed against two women when they were children, he cut an increasingly lonely figure. His wife, and co-accused, Lady Eleanor Donaldson was not by his side or in court at all, having been found unfit to face a conventional trial on mental health grounds. No other witnesses, other than Donaldson himself, were called to give evidence in his defence. She was facing a trial of the facts, meaning she could not be found guilty. But in five charges, including four related to aiding and abetting, the jury found she had done the acts. Live updates: Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of 18 child sex abuse charges Jeffrey Donaldson's life in politics: From DUP leader to convicted child sex abuser One of the UK's most high-profile politicians, a man who had spent his career around people, was on his own, as the jury delivered their verdicts - guilty of all 18 child sex abuse charges, including one count of rape. His wife was facing a trial of the facts, meaning she could not be found guilty. But in five charges, including four related to aiding and abetting, the jury found she had done the acts. PA Media Lady Eleanor Donaldson was found unfit to face a conventional trial on mental health grounds As an MP, Donaldson was a regular fixture at events in his constituency of Lagan Valley - from school fetes to church services, charity fundraisers to public meetings, he was there. But in the two years since he was arrested and charged, he was only seen in public to attend various court hearings. One person in Lagan Valley - not a natural political supporter - summed it up: "I never voted for him, but you always just thought he was a decent, family man." How Jeffrey Donaldson's trial began Reuters Donaldson faced a crowd when he first appeared in April 2024 The trial's first witnesses were the women who had accused Donaldson, known as Complainant A and Complainant B so as to maintain their right to anonymity. They both gave evidence by video link, looking out into the court from a large TV above the judge. When they first appeared on screen, and for most of their time giving evidence, Donaldson stared at them with a look of what seemed like