Court hears final arguments
The jury at Newry Crown Court has heard closing arguments in the trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. He faces multiple sex abuse charges involving two women who say the abuse happened when they were children. The alleged incidents are said to have taken place between 1985 and 2008.
He has denied 18 charges, including one rape charge. Lady Eleanor Donaldson also denies five related charges of aiding and abetting.
Prosecution says victims must be believed
She said the harm described by the complainants explains why the case is now before the court.She argued that the evidence, when viewed together, supports the accounts given by the two women. She said the jury should not believe the claims are false or invented.
Defence tells jury to focus on evidence
Defence barrister Kieran Vaughan KC urged the jury to ignore public attention around the case. He said politics and media coverage should not influence the decision.He stressed that suspicion is not enough for a conviction.
He added that the jury must examine only the evidence presented in court and reach a decision without bias.
Jury reminded of burden of proof
The defence repeated that the legal standard requires full certainty before any guilty verdict.
