Ex-chief of Northern Eire's most significant unionist get together faces intercourse offense charges courting to 1985
LONDON — The previous leader of Northern Ireland’s most significant unionist occasion produced his initial court look Wednesday on sexual abuse fees dating back again approximately four a long time.
Jeffrey Donaldson, 61, faces just one cost of rape and 10 other counts dating from 1985 to 2006.
His wife, Eleanor Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, 58, faces 4 counts of aiding and abetting the alleged crimes.
The two did not enter pleas throughout a transient visual appearance jointly in Newry Magistrates Courtroom. They spoke only to ensure their names, delivery dates and to acknowledge they comprehended the expenses. They ended up released on bail.
Donaldson resigned as chief of the Democratic Unionist Bash, right after he was arrested on March 28.
In a letter to get together leaders, Donaldson claimed he would be “strenuously contesting” the fees.
The Police Support of Northern Eire stated the arrest adopted a grievance about “non-new offenses” that was produced in early March. The costs entail two alleged victims.
Donaldson faces a count of rape, a solitary charge of gross indecency and nine indecent assault charges.
His resignation stunned the DUP just months right after the bash agreed to return to Northern Ireland’s power-sharing governing administration right after he won concessions on Britain’s submit-Brexit buying and selling preparations with the European Union.
As leader of the DUP between 2021 and 2023, he was the most potent figure in Northern Ireland’s unionist motion, which seeks to keep the region’s historic ties to the United Kingdom.
The court case was adjourned until finally May possibly 22.
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LONDON — The previous leader of Northern Ireland’s most significant unionist occasion produced his initial court look Wednesday on sexual abuse fees dating back again approximately four a long time.
Jeffrey Donaldson, 61, faces just one cost of rape and 10 other counts dating from 1985 to 2006.
His wife, Eleanor Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, 58, faces 4 counts of aiding and abetting the alleged crimes.
The two did not enter pleas throughout a transient visual appearance jointly in Newry Magistrates Courtroom. They spoke only to ensure their names, delivery dates and to acknowledge they comprehended the expenses. They ended up released on bail.
Donaldson resigned as chief of the Democratic Unionist Bash, right after he was arrested on March 28.
In a letter to get together leaders, Donaldson claimed he would be “strenuously contesting” the fees.
The Police Support of Northern Eire stated the arrest adopted a grievance about “non-new offenses” that was produced in early March. The costs entail two alleged victims.
Donaldson faces a count of rape, a solitary charge of gross indecency and nine indecent assault charges.
His resignation stunned the DUP just months right after the bash agreed to return to Northern Ireland’s power-sharing governing administration right after he won concessions on Britain’s submit-Brexit buying and selling preparations with the European Union.
As leader of the DUP between 2021 and 2023, he was the most potent figure in Northern Ireland’s unionist motion, which seeks to keep the region’s historic ties to the United Kingdom.
The court case was adjourned until finally May possibly 22.
